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Elena Rybakina secured the largest prize in WTA history by defeating world number one Sabalenka in two sets at the championship.

Rybakina produced a stunning performance to beat four-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka in two sets in Saudi Arabia.

Since each competitor advanced through the competition without a loss, the reward on the table was a unprecedented £3.98 million – the highest prize awarded in women's tennis history.

This amount tops the £3.74m the Belarusian won for claiming the New York major, which was the most lucrative Grand Slam in the current year.

"It's been an amazing tournament," commented Rybakina.

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

"I want to say praise to Sabalenka for holding the top spot for a second consecutive year in a row, it's an tremendous accomplishment."

The champion, who was the sixth-ranked player, delivered sixteen winners during a impressive first-set display.

The 2022 Wimbledon winner saved a couple of chances before winning all four points in the sixth game to take the break and held her serve to secure the first set.

As the second set progressed, Sabalenka saved two opportunities at 4-4 to swing the momentum in her favor.

But, after fighting back to disrupt Rybakina's rhythm, Sabalenka let her opponent off the hook by wasting a pair of set points in the following game to level the set at five-all.

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

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

A distraught Sabalenka appeared to be in tears as she met with her team shortly after the match.

"That was not the finest performance from me today but Rybakina you were certainly the better competitor," the Belarusian addressed the crowd.

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