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Elena Rybakina won the greatest payday in WTA history by defeating top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in two sets at the tournament.

Rybakina produced a impressive performance to defeat four-time major winner Sabalenka in two sets in Saudi Arabia.

Because each competitor came through the competition undefeated, the prize money on offer was a unprecedented £3.98m – the largest payout awarded in WTA the sport's history.

The reward exceeds the £3.74 million the Belarusian received for claiming September's New York major, which was the most lucrative major tournament in 2025.

"This has been an incredible week," said Rybakina.

"Truly didn't expect any result so to go so far was just incredible."

"Let me offer praise to Sabalenka for being number one for a second year in a row, it's an tremendous achievement."

The champion, who was the sixth-ranked player, delivered 16 winning shots during a commanding first-set performance.

The 2022 Wimbledon winner fended off a couple of chances before taking every point in the sixth game to go a break up and served out to win the opening set.

As the second set progressed, the world number one defended another two break points at four-all to shift the balance in her favour.

However, after fighting back to upset Rybakina's rhythm, Sabalenka let her opponent off the hook by wasting a pair of chances in the next game to level the set at 5-5.

Sabalenka's failure to level the match impacted her tie-break performance, with the Kazakh taking all seven points to claim the title.

This win, her sixth triumph over Sabalenka, means she will rise one place in the rankings to fifth in the world.

A distraught the runner-up was seen crying as she sat with her team shortly after the final.

"It was not the finest performance from me in this match but Rybakina you were definitely the better player," Sabalenka told the crowd.

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