The top two-ranked players reached the women's final at Grand Central Station’s Vanderbilt Hall, with second seed El Sherbini facing compatriot and defending champion Nouran Gohar.

However, the final came to a premature end in the second game when Gohar retired due to illness.

El Sherbini had won the first game 11-9, and led 3-1 in the second.

"There are a lot of people I would like to thank," she said after her first triumph at this event since 2019.

"Firstly, I would like to thank Nouran for what she said.

"As she said, we have had a lot of battles together from a long time ago and I am glad we are still having them now.

"I wish her a speedy recovery and hopefully she will be back again quickly, recover well and we can play another final at the next Platinum event hopefully."

El Sherbini beat compatriot Nadine Shahin 11-5, 11-5, 11-2 to start her tournament in the second-round, following it with a 11-2, 11-4, 11-6 win against France's Melissa Alves.

She then beat American home favourite and last year's finalist Amanda Sobhy 11-8, 11-3, 11-13, 11-5, before coming from behind to beat Egyptian Hania El Hammamy 11-13, 15-13, 11-9, 11-5 in the semi-finals.

El Sherbini is now level with Canada's Jonathon Power on four career victories at the Tournament of Champions.

Men's fourth seed Elias lifted the trophy for the first time in contrast, beating Egypt's Marwan ElShorbagy 11-2, 11-6, 11-4 in straight games in the final.

He had been beaten by Ali Farag in last year's final, but the Egyptian world number two was absent this year because of a knee injury.

Elias started with an 11-7, 11-6, 11-8 win against Switzerland's Dimitri Steinmann, then beat Egypt's Mohamed ElSherbini 11-7, 9-11, 11-4, 11-3.

Sixth seed Tarek Momen of Egypt was defeated 11-6, 11-7, 11-6 in straight sets, before knocking out New Zealand's top seed Paul Coll 13-11, 8-11, 11-3, 11-8 in the semi-finals.

World number one Mostafa Asal of Egypt withdrew from his third-round match against France's Victor Crouin because of breathing problems.

The Black Ball Open in Egypt's capital Cairo is set to be the next platinum event on the Professional Squash Association World Tour from March 2 to 8.