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Elena Rybakina secured the greatest payday in WTA all time by overcoming world number one Sabalenka in two sets at the tournament.

The 26-year-old delivered a brilliant display to beat four-time major champion Sabalenka in two sets in Saudi Arabia.

Since each competitor advanced through the competition without a loss, the purse on the table was a historic £3.98 million – the highest payout awarded in WTA the sport's history.

This amount surpasses the £3.74 million Sabalenka won for winning September's US Open, which was the most lucrative major tournament in 2025.

"It's been an fantastic tournament," commented the Kazakh player.

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

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

Rybakina, who was the sixth-ranked player, hit sixteen winning shots during a dominant opening set display.

Rybakina fended off a couple of chances before taking all four points in the sixth game to go a break up and served out to seal the opening set.

As the second set progressed, the world number one defended two opportunities at 4-4 to shift the balance in her favor.

But, after fighting back to upset her opponent's flow, Sabalenka let her opponent off the hook by wasting a pair of chances in the next game to tie the second set at 5-5.

Sabalenka's failure to force a decider affected her tie-break performance, with Rybakina taking all seven points to claim the championship.

This win, Rybakina's sixth over Sabalenka, means Rybakina will move up one spot in the WTA rankings to fifth in the world rankings.

A distraught Sabalenka appeared to be in tears as she met with her coaching team soon after the final.

"It was not the finest performance from me today but Elena you were definitely the superior competitor," the Belarusian addressed the audience.

"You really smashed me on court. I'm pleased to see you play your best tennis. Celebrate this beautiful trophy."