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Elena Rybakina secured the biggest reward in WTA all time by defeating world number one Sabalenka in straight sets at the tournament.

The 26-year-old produced a brilliant performance to defeat four-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka in two sets in Saudi Arabia.

Because each competitor advanced through the event without a loss, the purse on offer was a record-breaking £3.98 million – the highest payout offering in WTA the sport's history.

This amount exceeds the £3.74 million Sabalenka received for winning the US Open, which was the most lucrative major tournament in the current year.

"This has been an fantastic tournament," stated the Kazakh player.

"Truly didn't expect any result so to reach the final was just incredible."

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

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

Rybakina saved a couple of chances before winning all four points in the sixth game to take the break and served out to secure the opening set.

As the second set progressed, Sabalenka saved two break points at four-all to shift the balance in her favor.

But, having worked so hard to disrupt Rybakina's rhythm, Sabalenka let her opponent off the hook by wasting a pair of chances in the following game to tie the second set at 5-5.

Her inability to force a decider impacted her tie-break performance, with the Kazakh taking every point to claim the championship.

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

A distraught the runner-up appeared to be in tears as she met with her team soon after the match.

"That was not the best display from me today but Elena you were certainly the better player," Sabalenka told the crowd.

"You literally overpowered me out of the court. I'm happy to see you play your best tennis. Enjoy this stunning trophy."