Elena Rybakina Stuns Aryna Sabalenka to Secure Record £4m Reward
Elena Rybakina sealed her 45th hard court triumph of the year
Rybakina claimed the biggest prize in women's tennis all time by defeating world number one Sabalenka in two sets at the championship.
The 26-year-old produced a stunning performance to beat four-times major winner her opponent 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in Saudi Arabia.
Because each competitor advanced through the tournament undefeated, the reward on offer was a historic almost £4 million – the largest payout awarded in women's tennis the sport's history.
The reward tops the £3.74 million Sabalenka won for winning the New York major, which was the highest-paying major tournament in the current year.
"This has been an fantastic week," said the Kazakh player.
"I honestly couldn't have predicted this outcome so to reach the final was just incredible."
"Let me offer congratulations to Sabalenka for being number one for a second consecutive year in a row, it's an outstanding accomplishment."
Rybakina, who was the world number six, delivered sixteen winners during a commanding opening set display.
Rybakina fended off a couple of chances before taking every point in the sixth game of the set to go a break up and served out to secure the first set.
As the second set progressed, Sabalenka saved two break points at 4-4 to swing the momentum in her favor.
However, having worked so hard to upset Rybakina's rhythm, the top seed let her opponent off the hook by wasting a pair of set points in the next game to level the second set at 5-5.
Her inability to force a decider affected her tiebreak play, with the Kazakh winning all seven points to take home the championship.
The victory, her sixth triumph over Sabalenka, means she will rise one spot in the WTA rankings to number five in the world rankings.
An emotional Sabalenka appeared to be in tears as she sat with her team shortly after the match.
"It was not the finest display from me in this match but Elena you were definitely the superior player," Sabalenka addressed the crowd.
"You literally overpowered me out of the court. I'm pleased to see you at your peak. Enjoy this stunning trophy."
