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Rybakina won the biggest payday in WTA all time by overcoming world number one Sabalenka in straight sets at the championship.

Rybakina delivered a impressive performance to defeat four-times Grand Slam champion Sabalenka 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in Saudi Arabia.

Because each competitor advanced through the competition without a loss, the purse on offer was a record-breaking £3.98 million – the largest payout offering in WTA history.

The reward surpasses the £3.74m the Belarusian won for claiming the US Open, which was the highest-paying major tournament in the current year.

"This has been an amazing tournament," said the Kazakh player.

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

"I want to say praise to Sabalenka for being number one for a second consecutive year running, it's an incredible accomplishment."

The champion, who was the world number six, hit sixteen winning shots during a commanding first-set display.

The 2022 Wimbledon winner fended off two break points before taking all four points in the sixth game to take the break and served out to secure the first set.

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

But, having worked so hard to disrupt Rybakina's rhythm, the top seed failed to capitalize by squandering a pair of set points in the next game to tie the set at five-all.

Sabalenka's failure to force a decider affected her tiebreak play, with the Kazakh winning every point to take home the championship.

This win, Rybakina's sixth over Sabalenka, means Rybakina will rise one spot in the rankings to number five in the world rankings.

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

"It was not the best performance from me today but Rybakina you were certainly the better competitor," the Belarusian addressed the audience.

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