Barry Hawkins was upbeat despite being beaten by Neil Robertson in the Masters snooker final at London’s Alexandra Palace.

Australian Robertson beat Hawkins 10-4 to lift the Paul Hunter trophy, leaving the Ditton potter to console himself with a tremendous run to the final and a runner-up cheque of £100,000.

Commenting afterwards and cheered on by a big crowd, Hawkins said: “I am not too disappointed, it is disappointing to lose in a final but I have had a great week, probably one of the best of my life, it was an unbelievable atmosphere all week.

“I played some unbelievable matches but this wasn’t to be, I made too many mistakes and you can’t do that against Neil because he is a great champion and a great player, but it’s all positives for me, I had a great week.”

Hawkins, 42, had beaten the two top-ranked players in the world, Judd Trump and Mark Selby, to make it to the final but fell at the final hurdle, as he has done on several recent occasions. He reached the semi-finals of the UK Championship last month and was a runner-up in the 2016 Masters tournament.

Robertson led 5-3 after the first session on Sunday and there was to be no comeback from Hawkins, who had been playing superbly up until the final.

Hawkins, playing infront of a home crowd, had taken the opening frame and enjoyed a break of 69 at the end of the first session. It wasn’t to be for Hawkins again, however, as he was unable to punish Robertson in the evening session but is was all positive from the popular Kent player.

“I played some good stuff overall and I will look to crack on for the rest of the season," he said.

“It was an unbelievable experience all week and long may it continue.”

Hawkins doesn't have much time to rest, though.

On Friday, he takes on Ding Junhui in the Bet Victor Shoot Out at the Morningside Arena in Leicester.