🔗 Share this article Elena Rybakina Defeats Sabalenka to Win Record £4 Million Prize Rybakina earned her 45th hard-court victory of the year Rybakina claimed the biggest reward in women's tennis history by overcoming world number one Aryna Sabalenka in two sets at the WTA Finals. Rybakina delivered a brilliant display to beat four-times major winner Sabalenka 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in the host country. Since each competitor advanced through the event without a loss, the reward on offer was a unprecedented £3.98 million – the highest payout awarded in women's tennis history. The prize money exceeds the £3.74 million the Belarusian received for winning the New York major, which was the highest-paying major tournament in the current year. "This has been an amazing tournament," stated Rybakina. "I honestly couldn't have predicted any result so to go so far was just remarkable." "I want to say congratulations to Sabalenka for holding the top spot 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 commanding first-set performance. Rybakina saved a couple of break points before winning all four points in the sixth game of the set to take the break and served out to secure the first set. As the second set progressed, Sabalenka defended another two opportunities at 4-4 to shift the balance in her favor. But, after fighting back to upset her opponent's flow, Sabalenka failed to capitalize by wasting two chances in the next game to tie the set at five-all. Her inability to force a decider impacted her tiebreak performance, with the Kazakh taking all seven points to win the championship. The victory, her sixth triumph over her rival, means she will rise one spot in the WTA rankings to number five in the world rankings. A distraught the runner-up appeared to be in tears as she sat with her coaching team shortly after the match. "That was not the finest performance from me in this match but Elena you were definitely the superior competitor," Sabalenka told the audience. "You literally overpowered me out of the court. I'm pleased to see you at your peak. Enjoy this stunning title."