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Rybakina secured the biggest prize in WTA all time by overcoming top-ranked Sabalenka in straight sets at the WTA Finals.

The 26-year-old delivered a impressive display to beat four-times major winner Sabalenka in two sets in the host country.

Because both players came through the event undefeated, the purse on the table was a unprecedented £3.98m – the largest prize offering in WTA history.

This amount surpasses the £3.74m the Belarusian received for winning September's US Open, which was the most lucrative Grand Slam in 2025.

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

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

"I want to say congratulations to Aryna for holding the top spot for a second consecutive year running, it's an incredible achievement."

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

The 2022 Wimbledon winner fended off two chances before taking every point in the sixth game of the set to take the break and served out to win the first set.

With the second set on serve, Sabalenka saved two opportunities at four-all to shift the balance in her favor.

However, having worked so hard to upset Rybakina's rhythm, the top seed failed to capitalize by squandering a pair of chances in the following game to level the second set at 5-5.

Sabalenka's failure to force a decider affected her tiebreak performance, with Rybakina taking every point to claim the title.

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

A distraught the runner-up appeared to be in tears as she sat with her coaching team soon after the final.

"It was not the best performance from me in this match but Elena you were certainly the better player," Sabalenka addressed the audience.

"You literally overpowered me out of the court. I'm pleased to see you play your best tennis. Celebrate this stunning title."