Top-seeded Shorbagy’s victory – completing a successful title defence – happened far more comfortably than expected, against a Ramy Ashour who was physically diminished after four very hard battles following four months away from competition.

“It’s been a crazy season for me,” said Shorbagy. “I was telling my mother and my brother that I didn’t know how I was going to keep up with what I did last season but I’ve won five titles already so this is a dream for me. I have been able to back things up mentally and I am proud of that.

“But I want to say that Ramy is a great person and a great player. He has achieved so much for our sport, both on and off the court. I really hope that he can be healthy because our matches are just something different and we have such a great rivalry.”

That may yet come about in future, though this is in fact the first time that Shorbagy has beaten Ashour in a best of five games match on the PSA World Tour.