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Elena Rybakina won the greatest reward in women's tennis history by overcoming top-ranked Sabalenka in straight sets at the tournament.

Rybakina delivered a brilliant display to overcome four-times Grand Slam winner her opponent in two sets in Saudi Arabia.

Because both players advanced through the tournament undefeated, the purse on the table was a record-breaking £3.98m – the highest payout awarded in women's tennis history.

The reward surpasses the £3.74m the Belarusian won for winning September's US Open, which was the most lucrative major tournament in 2025.

"It's been an amazing week," commented Rybakina.

"Truly didn't expect 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 tremendous achievement."

Rybakina, who was the sixth-ranked player, hit sixteen winning shots during a commanding first-set performance.

The 2022 Wimbledon winner saved a couple of chances before taking every point in the sixth game of the set to go a break up and held her serve to seal the opening set.

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

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

Her inability to force a decider affected her tie-break play, with the Kazakh winning 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 number five in the world rankings.

A distraught Sabalenka was seen crying as she met with her team shortly after the final.

"That was not the finest display from me today but Elena you were certainly the better player," the Belarusian told the audience.

"You really smashed me on court. I'm happy to see you play your best tennis. Enjoy this beautiful title."