Kharlan laid down a marker ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games by narrowly edging past Zagunis, gold medallist in the discipline at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.

The current world number three had led 7-2 at one stage of the contest before the American launched a spirited fightback, which proved to be in vain as Kharlan held on to top the podium in the Russian capital once again.

She overcame Yuliya Gavrilova of Russia 15-9 in the semi-final, while Zagunis progressed to the showpiece duel by beating Irene Vecchi of Italy 15-13.

Both Gavrilova and Vecchi took home bronze as a result of their last four defeats.

“For me it’s good preparation for the Olympic Games,” Kharlan said.

“She changed her tactics and came back - Mariel was so strong today - but I was happy I could win.”

In the men’s event, world number three Kim Jung-hwan of South Korea also signalled his Rio 20126 intentions by reigning supreme thanks to a comfortable 15-7 win over China’s Xu Yingming.

Kim, who will travel to this year’s Games hoping to better his performance in London, where he crashed out in the second round, dominated from the outset in his clash with the Chinese fencer, establishing an early lead before seeing out victory in convincing fashion.

The South Korean ousted Russia's Nikolai Kovalev, who had earlier knocked out world number one and team-mate Alexei Yakimenko, 15-12 in what turned out to be a hard-fought contest in his semi-final.

World number 19 Xu, who enjoyed a surprise run to the final, defeated Vincent Anstett of France 15-13 in his last-four bout.

Kovalev and Anstett were able to finish the event on a positive note as both claimed bronze.

“I was ready for this Grand Prix, I’ve been training very hard,” Kim said.

“Today I feel very lucky - there are two months to go until the Olympics and I’m doing my best training now and I’m looking forward to Rio.”

The event in Moscow was the last chance for sabre fencers from Asia and Africa to earn ranking points for Rio 2016.