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Rybakina won the greatest reward in WTA all time by defeating world number one Sabalenka in two sets at the championship.

Rybakina delivered a brilliant performance to overcome four-time major champion Sabalenka in two sets in the host country.

Because both players came through the competition undefeated, the purse on the table was a historic £3.98m – the biggest prize offering in WTA the sport's history.

The reward surpasses the £3.74 million the Belarusian earned for winning the New York major, which was the most lucrative major tournament in the current year.

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

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

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

The champion, who was the sixth-ranked player, delivered 16 winning shots during a impressive opening set display.

The 2022 Wimbledon winner saved two chances before winning every point in the sixth game to go a break up and served out to seal the opening set.

With the second set on serve, Sabalenka saved two opportunities at 4-4 to swing the momentum in her favour.

However, after fighting back to disrupt Rybakina's rhythm, the top seed failed to capitalize by wasting a pair of set points in the next game to level the set at 5-5.

Sabalenka's failure to force a decider impacted her tiebreak performance, with the Kazakh winning every point to take home the title.

The victory, her sixth triumph over her rival, means she will move up one spot in the rankings to fifth in the world rankings.

An emotional Sabalenka appeared to be in tears as she met with her coaching team shortly after the final.

"That was not the best performance from me today but Rybakina you were definitely the superior competitor," the Belarusian told the audience.

"You literally overpowered me out of the court. I'm happy to see you play your best tennis. Enjoy this beautiful title."