Vezzali has won two individual foil Olympic golds and a silver

The reigning world champion defeated Trillini, who grew up in the same town in Italy, 15-11 in a tight contest.

Sylwia Gruchala of Poland saw off Hungary's Aida Mohamed 15-9 to settle the battle for bronze.

"In the morning I cried because of the stress," said Vezzali. "I didn't think of the gold at all."

It was Trillini who opened the scoring, grabbing the only hit of the first three-minute round.

But Vezzali recovered to level the scores at 6-6 and won three straight points at the start of the final round to build a cushion she never relinquished.

The 30-year-old revealed she and Trillini, despite their close friendship, had kept out of each other's way before the competition.