The pair occupied the top two positions in the overall women’s standings and they continued their battle by earning multiple wins at the Victoria Park Swimming Pool.

Series leader Sjöström secured three race wins, with the 24-year-old first claiming success in the 200 metres freestyle by finishing in 1min 51.77sec.

She was followed by Dutch swimmer Femke Heemskerk and China’s Duo Shen, who touched home in 1:53.14 and 1:55.69 respectively.

Sjöström returned to triumph in the 100m butterfly final in 55.32, with China's Yufei Zhang ending 1.94sec off the pace to end second.

The podium was completed by Ranomi Kromowidjojo, with the Dutch athlete achieving a time of 57.78.

A hat-trick of Sjöström wins was completed when she clocked 23.42 in the 50m freestyle event, holding off the challenge of The Netherlands’ swimmers.

Kromowidjojo ended just 0.70 behind the winner, while Heemskerk touched the finish 1.14 adrift of Sjöström’s time.

Hosszu was challenged strongly in the women’s 50m backstroke event, as the Hungarian’s time of 26.24 was only 0.08 faster than silver medallist Emily Seebohm of Australia.

The host nation was able to celebrate a medal in the event, as Stephanie Au Hoi-Shun tied for the bronze with The Netherlands’ Maaike de Waard when they both finished in 26.95.

Hosszu denied Seebohm again in the 200m individual medley, but the Hungarian enjoyed a larger margin of victory in the race.

The triple gold medallist from Rio 2016 secured victory in 2:05.29, with Seebohm ending 2.25 behind her rival in second.

Heemskerk earned her third medal of the day, as she took the bronze 4.50 behind Hosszu.

Men’s series leader Chad Le Clos was forced to settle for second in two races on the opening day.

The South African was beaten by Tom Shields in the 200m butterfly competition, with the American swimmer triumphing in 1:49.62.

Le Clos ended 0.66 behind in second, while Yuya Yajima of Japan was third in a time of 1:52.64.

Russia’s Vladimir Morozov edged closer to Le Clos in the series standings, after overcoming his rival in the 100m freestyle final.

Morozov achieved a time of 45:91, with Le Clos forced to settle for second place 0.19sec back.

Hong Kong’s Kenneth Ko was third in 47.28.

Competition is set to continue tomorrow, as swimmers seek to boast their position in the overall standings.

FINA announced earlier this week it has raised the prize money awarded to winners of the overall World Cup titles.

A total of $600,000 (£447,000/€507,000) will now be split across the top three in the men's and women's competitions.

The two athletes that finish in first place at the end of the World Cup campaign will receive $150,000 (£111,000/€126,000) each.