Rybakina Stuns Aryna Sabalenka to Claim Historic £4 Million Reward

Rybakina secured the largest prize in women's tennis history by beating top-ranked Sabalenka in two sets at the WTA Finals.

Rybakina delivered a impressive performance to defeat four-time major winner Sabalenka in two sets in Saudi Arabia.

Because each competitor came through the event without a loss, the purse on the table was a unprecedented £3.98 million – the largest prize awarded in WTA history.

The prize money surpasses the £3.74 million Sabalenka won for claiming September's US Open, which was the highest-paying major tournament in the current year.

"This has been an incredible tournament," commented the Kazakh player.

"Truly couldn't have predicted this outcome so to win the title was just remarkable."

"Let me offer congratulations to Sabalenka for holding the top spot for a second year in a row, it's an incredible accomplishment."

The champion, who was the world number six, delivered 16 winners during a dominant first-set display.

Rybakina fended off a couple of chances before winning every point in the sixth game of the set to take the break and held her serve to win the first set.

As the second set progressed, the world number one saved another two break points at 4-4 to shift the balance in her favor.

But, having worked so hard to disrupt Rybakina's rhythm, the top seed let her opponent off the hook by squandering a pair of set points in the following game to tie the second set at 5-5.

Sabalenka's failure to force a decider affected her tiebreak performance, with Rybakina taking every point to win the championship.

This win, her sixth triumph over her rival, means she will move up one spot in the rankings to fifth in the world.

A distraught Sabalenka was seen crying as she sat with her team shortly after the final.

"It was not the best display from me today but Elena you were definitely the superior player," Sabalenka told the crowd.

"You literally smashed me out of the court. I'm pleased to see you at your peak. Enjoy this stunning trophy."