The left-handed player, nicknamed The Cloud Walker, regained his spot at the top of the world rankings for the first time since February 2015 this month after World Tour victories in Japan and South Korea.

He was in sparkling form again in today's final at the Geelong Arena as the 29-year-old brushed aside compatriot Chuqin Wang in straight games, 11-6, 11-8, 11-4, 11-8.

Xu, a team Olympic gold medallist from Rio 2016 who boasts 10 world titles, had a much tougher examination in the morning's semi-finals as he was taken the distance by Germany's 15th seed Patrick Franziska.

The Chinese player, seeded third for the event despite his world ranking, eventually came through 11-7, 5-11, 11-6, 6-11, 6-11, 11-9, 12-10.

Wang's semi-final saw the 19-year-old claim a memorable win over compatriot Ma Long, the fifth seed and reigning Olympic champion.

The teenager won in six games, 11-8, 6-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8 for his inaugural win against his illustrious opponent.

In the women's event qualifier Sun Yingsha won an all-Chinese final against number three seed and Olympic champion Ding Ning.

The 18-year-old came through 11-1, 11-9, 11-9, 11-9 to avenge her semi-final defeat to the same opponent in South Korea last week.

Sun has now won three World Tour competitions after coming through the qualification rounds, a record which cannot be matched.

Both women's semi-finals were held yesterday.

The next ITTF World Tour event is the Bulgaria Open between August 15 and 18 in Panagyurishte.