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Rybakina secured the largest prize in women's tennis all time by overcoming top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets at the championship.

The 26-year-old delivered a impressive display to beat four-time major winner Sabalenka in two sets in the host country.

Since each competitor advanced through the tournament undefeated, the purse on the table was a historic almost £4 million – the largest payout offering in women's tennis the sport's history.

This amount exceeds the £3.74 million Sabalenka won for winning the US Open, which was the most lucrative Grand Slam in the current year.

"It's been an amazing week," said the Kazakh player.

"Truly couldn't have predicted any result so to reach the final was just unbelievable."

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

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

Rybakina saved a couple of break points before winning every point in the sixth game to take the break and held her serve to seal the opening set.

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

But, having worked so hard to upset her opponent's flow, the top seed failed to capitalize by squandering two chances in the next game to tie the set at five-all.

Her inability to force a decider affected her tiebreak performance, with the Kazakh taking every point to take home the title.

This win, her sixth triumph over Sabalenka, means she will move up one spot in the WTA rankings to fifth in the world rankings.

An emotional the runner-up was seen crying as she sat with her team shortly after the match.

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

"You really overpowered me on court. I'm pleased to see you at your peak. Enjoy this beautiful title."