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Rybakina secured the biggest payday in WTA history by beating top-ranked Sabalenka in straight sets at the tournament.

Rybakina delivered a stunning performance to overcome four-time Grand Slam champion her opponent 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in the host country.

Because each competitor came through the competition undefeated, the reward on the table was a record-breaking almost £4 million – the biggest prize awarded in women's tennis the sport's history.

The prize money tops the £3.74m Sabalenka won for winning September's New York major, which was the most lucrative Grand Slam in 2025.

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

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

"I want to say congratulations to Sabalenka for holding the top spot for a second year in a row, it's an incredible achievement."

The champion, who was the sixth-ranked player, hit 16 winners during a impressive first-set performance.

Rybakina saved two chances before winning all four points in the sixth game to go a break up and held her serve to seal the first set.

With the second set on serve, the world number one saved another two opportunities at 4-4 to shift the balance in her favor.

However, having worked so hard to disrupt her opponent's flow, the top seed let her opponent off the hook by squandering a pair of set points in the following game to tie the set at 5-5.

Sabalenka's failure to level the match affected her tiebreak play, with the Kazakh winning every point to claim the title.

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

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

"It was not the finest performance from me today but Elena you were certainly the better player," the Belarusian told the crowd.

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