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Rybakina won the biggest prize in WTA history by overcoming top-ranked Sabalenka in two sets at the tournament.

The 26-year-old delivered a brilliant performance to overcome four-times Grand Slam winner her opponent in two sets in the host country.

Since both players advanced through the event without a loss, the purse on offer was a historic £3.98m – the biggest prize offering in WTA the sport's history.

This amount exceeds the £3.74m the Belarusian received for claiming the US Open, which was the highest-paying Grand Slam in the current year.

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

"Truly couldn't have predicted any result so to go so far was just remarkable."

"Let me offer congratulations to Aryna for holding the top spot for a second year in a row, it's an outstanding achievement."

The champion, who was the world number six, hit 16 winners during a commanding first-set display.

Rybakina fended off two break points before taking every point in the sixth game of the set to go a break up and held her serve to secure the first set.

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

But, having worked so hard to disrupt her opponent's flow, Sabalenka let her opponent off the hook by squandering two set points in the next game to level the set at 5-5.

Sabalenka's failure to level the match affected her tie-break play, with the Kazakh taking 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 Sabalenka appeared to be in tears as she sat with her coaching team shortly after the final.

"It was not the best performance from me in this match but Rybakina you were certainly the better competitor," the Belarusian told the crowd.

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