🔗 Share this article

Elena Rybakina secured the greatest reward in women's tennis history by defeating top-ranked Sabalenka in two sets at the tournament.

Rybakina produced a impressive display to defeat four-times Grand Slam champion Sabalenka 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in the host country.

Because both players advanced through the competition without a loss, the reward on offer was a unprecedented £3.98m – the largest payout offering in WTA history.

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

"It's been an incredible tournament," stated the Kazakh player.

"I honestly didn't expect 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 running, it's an outstanding achievement."

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

The 2022 Wimbledon winner fended off a couple of chances before winning every point in the sixth game 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 4-4 to shift the balance in her favour.

However, having worked so hard to disrupt Rybakina's rhythm, Sabalenka let her opponent off the hook by squandering two chances in the following game to level the set at 5-5.

Her inability to force a decider affected her tie-break play, with the Kazakh taking every point to win the title.

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

An emotional the runner-up was seen crying as she sat with her coaching team soon after the match.

"It was not the best display from me in this match but Elena you were definitely the better competitor," the Belarusian told the crowd.

"You really overpowered me out of the court. I'm pleased to see you at your peak. Enjoy this beautiful title."