Martina Batini took home the women's individual title at the FIE Foil Grand Prix in Shanghai ©Augusto Bizzi/FIE

Italy’s Martina Batini topped the podium today at the International Fencing Federation’s (FIE) Foil Grand Prix in Shanghai.

The 28-year-old prevailed in the women’s final at the Jing An Gym with a victory in the final over Olympic champion Russia’s Inna Deriglazova.

Batini entered the day as the ninth seed during the round of 64 and progressed to the final with wins over three of her team-mates, Valentina De Costanzo, Teo Serena and Beatrice Monaco, while also seeing off France’s Astrid Guyart and Svetlana Tripapina of Russia.

These victories set up a final tussle against Deriglazova.

Olympic gold medallist Inna Deriglazova was the beaten finalist ©Augusto Bizzi/FIE
Olympic gold medallist Inna Deriglazova was the beaten finalist ©Augusto Bizzi/FIE

It proved to be an excellent battle on the piste, but ultimately the Italian came out on top 15-14 over the woman who took individual gold at Rio 2016.

Action in the Chinese city also saw the men’s competition begin.

Proceedings have reached the round of 64, which will start tomorrow as the men search for a space in the final later the same day.