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Elena Rybakina won the largest payday in WTA all time by overcoming world number one Sabalenka in straight sets at the tournament.

The 26-year-old delivered a impressive performance to beat four-time major champion her opponent 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in Saudi Arabia.

Since both players advanced through the tournament undefeated, the reward on offer was a unprecedented almost £4 million – the biggest prize offering in women's tennis history.

The prize money tops the £3.74 million the Belarusian won for claiming September's US Open, which was the highest-paying major tournament in 2025.

"It's been an amazing tournament," said the Kazakh player.

"I honestly didn't expect any result so to win the title was just incredible."

"Let me offer praise to Aryna for being number one for a second consecutive year running, it's an tremendous achievement."

Rybakina, who was the world number six, hit sixteen winners during a commanding first-set performance.

The 2022 Wimbledon winner saved a couple of break points before winning all four points in the sixth game of the set to go a break up and served out to win the first set.

With the second set on serve, the world number one defended another two break points at four-all to shift the balance in her favour.

But, having worked so hard to disrupt Rybakina's rhythm, Sabalenka failed to capitalize by wasting two set points in the next game to level the set at 5-5.

Sabalenka's failure to force a decider impacted her tie-break play, with Rybakina taking every point to win the championship.

This win, her sixth triumph over her rival, means she will rise one place in the WTA rankings to fifth in the world rankings.

An emotional the runner-up was seen crying as she met with her team soon after the final.

"It was not the best performance from me in this match but Rybakina you were definitely the superior competitor," Sabalenka told the crowd.

"You really overpowered me on court. I'm happy to see you at your peak. Celebrate this beautiful trophy."