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Elena Rybakina won the largest payday in WTA history by defeating top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets at the tournament.

The 26-year-old produced a brilliant performance to beat four-times Grand Slam champion Sabalenka 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in Saudi Arabia.

Since each competitor came through the event undefeated, the purse on the table was a record-breaking almost £4 million – the biggest payout awarded in WTA the sport's history.

The reward exceeds the £3.74 million Sabalenka received for claiming the New York major, which was the highest-paying major tournament in the current year.

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

"Truly couldn't have predicted this outcome so to reach the final was just incredible."

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

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

The 2022 Wimbledon winner saved a couple of chances before winning all four points in the sixth game of the set to go a break up and held her serve to secure the first set.

As the second set progressed, the world number one saved another two opportunities at four-all to swing the momentum in her favour.

But, having worked so hard to upset her opponent's flow, the top seed failed to capitalize by squandering a pair of set points in the following game to level the second set at five-all.

Her inability to level the match affected her tie-break performance, with the Kazakh taking all seven points to win the title.

The victory, Rybakina's sixth over Sabalenka, means she will move up one spot in the rankings to fifth in the world rankings.

A distraught the runner-up was seen crying as she sat with her team shortly after the final.

"That was not the best performance from me in this match but Rybakina you were certainly the better player," Sabalenka addressed the audience.

"You literally smashed me out of the court. I'm pleased to see you at your peak. Enjoy this beautiful trophy."