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Rybakina won the greatest reward in women's tennis all time by beating world number one Sabalenka in straight sets at the WTA Finals.

The 26-year-old delivered a impressive display to defeat four-times major champion her opponent in two sets in the host country.

Because each competitor came through the event without a loss, the prize money on the table was a record-breaking £3.98m – the biggest prize awarded in women's tennis the sport's history.

This amount tops the £3.74m the Belarusian received for claiming September's New York major, which was the most lucrative major tournament in the current year.

"It's been an incredible tournament," said the Kazakh player.

"I honestly couldn't have predicted this outcome so to win the title was just unbelievable."

"Let me offer praise to Aryna for being number one for a second year in a row, it's an outstanding accomplishment."

Rybakina, who was the sixth-ranked player, delivered sixteen 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 take the break and served out to win the opening set.

With the second set on serve, the world number one defended two break points at four-all to shift the balance in her favour.

However, after fighting back to disrupt her opponent's flow, the top seed failed to capitalize by squandering a pair of chances in the following game to tie the second set at five-all.

Her inability to level the match affected her tie-break play, with the Kazakh winning all seven points to win the championship.

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

An emotional the runner-up appeared to be in tears as she met with her team soon after the final.

"That was not the finest performance from me in this match but Rybakina you were certainly the superior competitor," the Belarusian told the audience.

"You literally overpowered me out of the court. I'm happy to see you play your best tennis. Celebrate this beautiful trophy."