Rösner duly became the first German to win a Professional Squash Association World Series Tournament.

The 30-year-old followed his semi-final upset of France's world number one Gregory Gaultier with another impressive performance in the Grand Central Terminal Vanderbilt Hall.

He required 71 minutes to defeat the world number seven 11-8, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5.

It made him the first non-Egyptian male winner of the men's event since England's Nick Matthew in 2012.

"It's a unbelievable feeling," said Rösner.

"That was the biggest match of my career and to win it is incredible.

"Coming here this week, I didn't expect to win the championship, but this is what you work for every day.

"To play on this kind of stage is the reason you wake up, train hard, stay disciplined and go through all of that.

"And for that to pay off, in New York, in Grand Central Terminal, with the Tournament of Champions title - it's unbelievable."

Nour El Sherbini was a far less surprising winner in the corresponding women's singles draw.

The world number one recovered from a game down to beat fellow Egyptian and US Open champion Nour El Tayeb.

El Sherbini got stronger and stronger as the match went on to win 2-11, 11-6, 4-11, 11-7, 11-7.

"It's an unbelievable feeling right now, I cannot describe it," she said afterwards.

"I'm extremely happy, I couldn't have asked for a better start to 2018.

"I worked really hard in the summer and have been trying to enjoy playing when I'm out there and that hard work is paying off right now."