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Rybakina won the biggest prize in WTA all time by beating top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets at the WTA Finals.

The 26-year-old produced a brilliant performance to overcome four-time major champion Sabalenka 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in Saudi Arabia.

Because each competitor came through the event undefeated, the prize money on the table was a historic £3.98m – the biggest prize offering in WTA history.

The reward exceeds the £3.74 million the Belarusian received for winning September's US Open, which was the highest-paying Grand Slam in the current year.

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

"Truly couldn't have predicted any result so to reach the final was just unbelievable."

"Let me offer congratulations to Sabalenka for being number one for a second consecutive year running, it's an outstanding accomplishment."

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

The 2022 Wimbledon winner saved a couple of break points before taking every point in the sixth game of the set to take the break and held her serve to secure the opening set.

With the second set on serve, Sabalenka saved two opportunities at 4-4 to swing the momentum in her favour.

However, having worked so hard to upset Rybakina's rhythm, Sabalenka let her opponent off the hook by wasting two chances in the next game to level the second set at five-all.

Sabalenka's failure to level the match impacted her tiebreak play, with Rybakina taking every point to take home the title.

This win, Rybakina's sixth over her rival, means Rybakina will rise one place in the rankings to fifth in the world.

A distraught Sabalenka was seen crying as she met with her team soon after the match.

"It was not the finest display from me in this match but Elena you were definitely the better player," Sabalenka told the audience.

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