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Elena Rybakina claimed the biggest prize in WTA history by beating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in two sets at the championship.

Rybakina delivered a brilliant display to defeat four-time Grand Slam winner her opponent in two sets in the host country.

Because both players came through the event without a loss, the reward on the table was a unprecedented almost £4 million – the largest payout offering in WTA the sport's history.

The prize money surpasses the £3.74 million the Belarusian won for winning the US Open, which was the highest-paying Grand Slam in the current year.

"It's been an incredible tournament," commented Rybakina.

"Truly couldn't have predicted this outcome so to go so far was just unbelievable."

"I want to say praise 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 dominant first-set performance.

Rybakina fended off two chances before winning all four points in the sixth game to take the break and held her serve to seal the opening set.

As the second set progressed, Sabalenka saved another two break points at four-all to shift the balance in her favour.

However, having worked so hard to upset her opponent's flow, the top seed let her opponent off the hook by squandering a pair of set points in the next game to level the set at 5-5.

Sabalenka's failure to level the match impacted her tie-break play, with the Kazakh winning all seven points to take home the championship.

This win, her sixth triumph over her rival, means Rybakina will rise one place in the WTA rankings to fifth in the world.

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

"It was not the best performance from me today but Rybakina you were certainly the superior player," Sabalenka told the audience.

"You literally overpowered me out of the court. I'm pleased to see you play your best tennis. Enjoy this stunning trophy."