It was the same kind of story in the women’s singles title, where defending champion Li Jie of The Netherlands was defeated by Romania’s number eight seed Bernadette Szőcs.

Ovtcharov, the 29-year-old top seed and world number one, was beaten  in the first all-German men’s final in the history of a tournament that began in 1971, and the first in which men from the same nation have faced each other since 1995, when Sweden filled the bill.

Boll, the number two seed, took the initiative and never lost it, winning 13-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-6 to claim this title for a sixth time, having won it previously in 2002, 2003, 2006, 2009 and 2010

He is now just win away from matching the all-time great; starting in 1984 in Bratislava and concluding in 1996 in Charleroi, Sweden’s Jan-Ove Waldner won seven times.

"I came here not as a big favourite," said Boll.

"I won the opening game, which was very important; the other key thing is that Dimitrij was not in his shape.

"He came here from a recent vacation and he did not practise enough.

"For his style it is crucial."

Boll added: "On the other hand, I am in perfect shape.

"Last year we often played against each other.

"I worked on some new tactics and services and it came together quite well.

"I think I found the solution for his game.”

Ovtcharov had won his semi-final against Denmark’s number eight seed Jonathan Groth, by 12-10, 11-7, 11-9, 9-11, 12-10).

Boll progressed by defeating Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus, the number nine seed, 10-12, 11-6, 11-4, 12-14, 11-5, 12-10.

Li had beaten Szőcs' compatriot Elizabeta Samara 4-1 in the semi-final, while Szőcs had progressed after defeating Matilda Ekholm of Sweden 4-0.

Boll and Ovtcharov now qualify for the Liebherr 2018 Men’s Cup where they will be joined by Groth, who overcame Samsonov 7-11, 11-9, 11-9, 12-10, 4-11, 11-9, 11-6 in the third-place match..

The one remaining place for an invite to the Women’s World Cup was secured by Samara, who beat Ekholm 11-4, 8-11, 11-6, 11-9, 4-11, 11-8.