The 27-year-old, appearing in his first competitive tournament since the Allam British Open in May after being plagued by injuries, completed a miraculous return to action to come through 13-11, 7-11, 5-11, 11-5, 14-12 in a dramatic 90-minute encounter.

Both players squander match points before Ashour eventually prevailed in a repeat of his 2012 triumph over Elshorbagy at the same venue.

"I'm speechless," said Ashour after his victory.

"It's an unbelievable feeling and I just can't believe it.

"I have worked so hard both mentally and physically to get myself ready for this tournament and I have pushed myself so hard - It doesn't get any better than this."

Mohamed Elshorbagy pushed Ramy Ashour all the way but narrowly lost out ©Getty Images



Both players displayed nerves In the early stages of the match, making uncharacteristic errors, but it wasn't long before the capacity crowd at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, which was packed with over 1,200 fans for the all-Egyptian encounter, were treated to squash of the highest standard.

"It was dramatic and it was brutal - it was like a fight," added Ashour.

"We were both trying to get inside the other's game but nobody succeeded.

"We were both producing our best squash.

"In that last game, we both had match balls and it was back and forth between us.

"We both wanted so badly to be world champion and winning my third world title means so much to me.

"This is a very special moment.

"Mohamed is an amazing player and he will win a lot more tournaments but I was very proud of the way both of us represented Egypt in such a great manner today and it makes me proud of my country."

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