World Snooker Champs final ref was forced to bang on commentary box window after disturbance

 Desislava Bozhilova is set to become only the second woman to referee a World Snooker Championship final, just three years after she was forced to hush the BBC commentary team

Desislava Bozhilova will referee a Crucible final on Sunday

Fan-favourite referee Desislava Bozhilova took matters into her own hands during a World Snooker Championship semi-final by knocking on the commentary box window to silence broadcasters.

This Sunday, Bozhilova is set to become only the second woman to officiate a Crucible final, but three years ago, she was reprimanding commentators at the renowned snooker venue.

Back in 2022, Judd Trump and iconic Welshman Mark Williams - who are currently duelling it out in Sheffield - were locked in a tense battle. As Trump prepared to take his shot in the eighth frame, an unexpected knock off-camera interrupted the Englishman.

The audience erupted into laughter after the incident, and Eurosport's commentators explained that it was Bozhilova who had knocked on the BBC window, requesting they keep the noise down as it had been putting off the potter.

"Just a bit of noise coming from the host broadcaster's studio," the Eurosport commentary team acknowledged, likely alluding to the BBC. "Desislava banged on the window and told them to keep quiet. That's the way to do it!".

After the light-hearted disturbance, Trump confidently secured a 7-1 lead in the initial semi-final session. Yet, what unfolded thereafter became one of the most thrilling matches in Crucible history, reports the Express.

The match saw Trump carry forward his lead to see things stand at 11-5, but the legendary Williams staged a remarkable comeback, narrowing the gap to 13-11, then levelling the score at 13-13, and eventually 15-15 in the final session.

Both players traded frames, setting the stage for a nail-biting deciding frame. Williams edged ahead 16-15, only for Trump to pull things back level.

Ultimately, Trump would claim victory in the thrilling 17-16 contest, though the Ace in the Pack later succumbed to Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final, losing 18-13.

Desislava Bozhilova will oversee her first World Championship Final

Fast forward to the present, and both players are locked in a closely contested semi-final, each vying for a spot in the final against the talented Chinese player Zhao Xintong.

Referee Bozhilova is set to officiate Sunday's main event, where she will once again encounter one of the former world champions, and has expressed her excitement about overseeing such a prestigious match, calling it a true 'dream'.

"I am really excited, it was an amazing feeling when I was given the news," Bozhilova, who is poised to become only the second woman to referee a world final, following in the footsteps of Michaela Tabb, who achieved this feat in 2009 and 2012, told World Snooker.

"It is what I have worked towards for many years. It has been my dream. It will be different to any other final because of the atmosphere at the Crucible.

"Since I started working in snooker, I have learned everything from the more experienced referees. They give advice and tell us how to improve. There is a lot of teamwork, and we support each other."