Daniel Wells is hoping to take advantage of Ronnie Sullivan’s withdrawal to reach the final of the Scottish Open.

The 30-year-old was scheduled to face the Rocket in round one but the five-time world champion opted to pull out having won the UK Championship last Sunday. Wells then took care of David Gilbert and Mark Joyce – both with 4-1 score lines – before downing Matthew Stephens 4-0 in the last-16.

The Welshman was far too good for compatriot Ryan Day, winning their last-eight encounter 5-1, meaning he has dropped just three frames en route to the semis.

Things are about to get tougher, however, as Wells now goes up against world number six Mark Allen, who made the UK Championship final before losing 10-6 to O’Sullivan.

Wells is priced at 5.25 to win the match while Belfast’s Allen, who beat Alfie Burden 5-0 in their quarter-final, can be backed at 1.15 to advance to Sunday’s showpiece.

It is the first ranking semi-final in the career of the world number 66 and Wells has ambitions of going all the way to make up for some recent poor displays.

“It feels very good. Obviously, I’d like to go forward in the tournament, and I’m delighted to reach the one-table set-up,” he said. “I’m free-rolling, really. I was pretty embarrassing in the UK Championships. I saw I had Ronnie and I gave myself very little chance.

“I was thankful that he didn’t go to be honest. I know I’m going to have to be at the top of my game if I’m going to beat Mark.”