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Snooker icon Mark Allen delivered a classy message to referee Tatiana Woollaston, days after missing out on a second Masters title. The 39-year-old lost to Judd Trump in the quarter-finals of the prestigious tournament, which Kyren Wilson clinched on Sunday.

Wilson triumphed 10-6 over veteran John Higgins in the final at Alexandra Palace. The 2024 world champion was emotional after avenging his defeat in last year's final to Shaun Murphy and claiming his first Masters title. However, the former world champion was not the only person breaking new ground at the weekend. Referee Woollaston oversaw the Masters final for the first time in her storied career, a feat Allen celebrated on social media.

Responding to a World Snooker Tour interview with the official, Allen posted on X: "An obvious statement but worthwhile nonetheless but one of the best refs we've ever had. Fully deserving of this moment. It won't be her last either."

It marks the second Triple Crown final of the referee's career after she took charge of the 2024 UK Championship showdown between Trump and Barry Hawkins. She has also officiated a World Snooker Championship semi-final.

Ahead of the Masters final, Woollaston said: "I'm really, really excited. It's massive event for the players, the Triple Crown events. But it's also massive for the referees. I'm really looking forward to it."

It is not the first time that the referee, who is married to snooker player Ben Woollaston, has been praised by star names in the sport. In 2024, when discussing the official, Ronnie O'Sullivan told Eurosport "Best ref in the world by a mile. All day long for me."

While her next goal will be to take charge of a world final, Tatiana would be unable to oversee any match involving her husband, Ben. The couple have two children together but are never paired up on the snooker circuit.

Speaking before the 2024 UK Championship, she explained their dynamic: "He's on the circuit as a player, I'm on the circuit as a referee. We've never really mix that. I'm obviously not allowed to referee his games and I wouldn't want to, to be fair."

Meanwhile, new Masters champion Wilson had his own cause for celebration after overcoming Higgins in the final. It proved to be a battle for Wilson, who held his nerve to secure the coveted title and the £350,000 grand prize.

"In 2018 I lost in the final and cried and I'm trying not to cry now as it means so much to me," he told BBC Sport. "It was an honour and privilege to share the table with an idol of mine.

"It was just an absolute dogfight and I tried to be as dogged as John has been over the years, and that is why he has been so successful. I'm glad he's managed to give me one for a change.

"I never make it easy for myself. I always seem to do it the hard way. I don't know why, it frustrates the life out of me but I will always give it my all. Even if I'm struggling I will fight until the end until I finally get my hands on some silverware."