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Elena Rybakina claimed the biggest payday in WTA all time by overcoming top-ranked Sabalenka in two sets at the WTA Finals.

The 26-year-old delivered a impressive performance to overcome four-time Grand Slam winner Sabalenka in two sets in the host country.

Because both players came through the competition undefeated, the prize money on the table was a unprecedented almost £4 million – the biggest prize offering in WTA history.

The reward exceeds the £3.74m the Belarusian won for claiming the US Open, which was the highest-paying Grand Slam in the current year.

"This has been an fantastic tournament," stated Rybakina.

"I honestly didn't expect this outcome so to reach the final was just unbelievable."

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

Rybakina, who was the world number six, hit sixteen winners during a impressive first-set display.

Rybakina fended off two break points before taking every point in the sixth game of the set to go a break up and served out to seal the opening set.

As the second set progressed, the world number one saved another two opportunities at 4-4 to shift the balance in her favor.

However, having worked so hard to disrupt Rybakina's rhythm, Sabalenka let her opponent off the hook by squandering a pair of chances in the next game to tie the set at 5-5.

Her inability to force a decider impacted her tiebreak play, with the Kazakh taking every point to win the championship.

The victory, her sixth triumph over her rival, means she will move up one place in the rankings to fifth in the world rankings.

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

"It was not the finest performance from me today but Elena you were definitely the superior competitor," the Belarusian told the audience.

"You literally smashed me out of the court. I'm happy to see you at your peak. Enjoy this beautiful title."