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Elena Rybakina won the greatest payday in WTA history by defeating top-ranked Sabalenka in two sets at the championship.

The 26-year-old delivered a stunning display to beat four-times Grand Slam champion her opponent in two sets in the host country.

Since each competitor came through the tournament undefeated, the purse on the table was a unprecedented almost £4 million – the highest payout awarded in WTA the sport's history.

The reward exceeds the £3.74m Sabalenka earned for claiming the US Open, which was the most lucrative Grand Slam in the current year.

"It's been an amazing tournament," stated Rybakina.

"I honestly didn't expect any result so to win the title was just unbelievable."

"Let me offer praise to Aryna for holding the top spot for a second year running, it's an tremendous achievement."

The champion, who was the world number six, hit sixteen winning shots during a dominant opening set performance.

The 2022 Wimbledon winner fended off a couple of chances before taking all four points in the sixth game of the set to take the break and served out to seal the opening set.

As the second set progressed, the world number one defended another two break points at 4-4 to swing the momentum in her favor.

But, after fighting back to disrupt Rybakina's rhythm, the top seed let her opponent off the hook by squandering a pair of chances in the next game to level the set at 5-5.

Her inability to level the match affected her tiebreak performance, with the Kazakh taking every point to claim the championship.

The victory, Rybakina's sixth over her rival, means she will move up one place in the WTA rankings to number five in the world.

A distraught Sabalenka was seen crying as she met with her coaching team soon after the match.

"It was not the finest performance from me today but Rybakina you were definitely the better competitor," Sabalenka addressed the crowd.

"You really overpowered me on court. I'm pleased to see you at your peak. Celebrate this stunning trophy."