Rybakina Upsets Aryna Sabalenka to Claim Historic £4m Payout
Elena Rybakina secured her forty-fifth hard court triumph of the year
Elena Rybakina won the largest payday in WTA history by overcoming top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets at the championship.
Rybakina delivered a brilliant display to defeat four-times Grand Slam champion her opponent in two sets in Saudi Arabia.
Because both players advanced through the event undefeated, the reward on the table was a historic almost £4 million – the largest payout awarded in women's tennis the sport's history.
The prize money surpasses the £3.74 million Sabalenka earned for winning the New York major, which was the highest-paying Grand Slam in the current year.
"It's been an amazing tournament," commented the Kazakh player.
"I honestly didn't expect any result so to reach the final was just remarkable."
"Let me offer congratulations to Aryna for holding the top spot for a second consecutive year in a row, it's an outstanding accomplishment."
The champion, who was the sixth-ranked player, hit sixteen winning shots during a impressive opening set display.
Rybakina saved a couple of break points before winning all four points in the sixth game to take the break and served out to secure the opening set.
With the second set on serve, Sabalenka saved two opportunities at four-all to swing the momentum in her favor.
But, having worked so hard to upset Rybakina's rhythm, the top seed let her opponent off the hook by squandering two chances in the following game to tie the second set at 5-5.
Her inability to force a decider impacted her tiebreak play, with the Kazakh winning all seven points to win the championship.
The victory, her sixth triumph over her rival, means Rybakina will rise one place in the WTA rankings to number five in the world.
A distraught Sabalenka was seen crying as she met with her team shortly after the match.
"That was not the finest performance from me in this match but Rybakina you were definitely the better player," Sabalenka addressed the crowd.
"You really overpowered me on court. I'm happy to see you play your best tennis. Enjoy this beautiful title."
