In conditions approaching 40 degrees in Cervia, Michele Cappelletti and Luca Carli claimed the men's title while Federica Bacchetta and Giulia Gasparri won the women's.

It was the eighth time in nine years both the world titles have been won by Italian pairs.

Cappelletti and Carli defeated compatriots Luca Cramarossa and Marco Garavini 6-4, 6-1 in the men’s final.

It was a repeat triumph for Cappelletti and Carli, winner of the title together last year, and a third in a row for Cappelletti, who also won the 2015 crown alongside Matteo Marighella.

"We knew we were underdogs but that freed us from pressure," said Carli. 

"This year we have played with too many expectations.

"When I got injured three months ago we had to start again from the beginning and it has been tough.

"At the same time, Cramarossa and Garavini started playing together and they won everything.

"For us, this has been the perfect match, maybe the best of our lives."

Bacchetta and Gasparri, meanwhile, caused a relative upset by overcoming the top seeds in a tight three-set match in the women’s final.

They overcame another Italian pair, Sofia Cimatti and Flamina Daina, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.

For Bacchetta, winner of this title in 2010 and 2014, it marked a third World Championship crown.

Gasparri, the 2015 champion alongside Daina, won for a second time having finished runner-up last year.

"It was a real battle," said Bacchetta.

"It's the seventh time that we faced them and they’ve won four times.

"We know them very well but every match is psychological.

"We always have to be focused."