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Elena Rybakina secured the greatest payday in WTA all time by defeating top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in two sets at the championship.

Rybakina produced a stunning display to defeat four-time major champion Sabalenka in two sets in the host country.

Because each competitor advanced through the competition without a loss, the prize money on offer was a historic almost £4 million – the highest prize offering in WTA the sport's history.

The prize money tops the £3.74m Sabalenka earned for winning the US Open, which was the highest-paying major tournament in 2025.

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

"I honestly couldn't have predicted any result so to go so far was just incredible."

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

Rybakina, who was the world number six, delivered sixteen winning shots during a dominant opening set display.

Rybakina saved two break points before winning every point in the sixth game of the set to take the break and held her serve to secure the opening set.

With the second set on serve, the world number one defended two break points at four-all to shift the balance in her favor.

However, after fighting back to upset her opponent's flow, the top seed failed to capitalize by wasting a pair of set points in the following game to level the set at five-all.

Sabalenka's failure to level the match impacted her tiebreak play, with the Kazakh taking every point to take home the championship.

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

An emotional the runner-up was seen crying as she sat with her team soon after the final.

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

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