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Elena Rybakina claimed the largest reward in women's tennis all time by beating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in two sets at the WTA Finals.

The 26-year-old produced a stunning display to beat four-time major champion her opponent 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in the host country.

Because each competitor advanced through the event undefeated, the reward on offer was a unprecedented £3.98m – the biggest prize offering in WTA history.

The reward exceeds the £3.74m Sabalenka won for winning the US Open, which was the most lucrative Grand Slam in the current year.

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

"Truly didn't expect this outcome so to reach the final was just remarkable."

"Let me offer praise to Sabalenka for being number one for a second year running, it's an tremendous achievement."

The champion, who was the world number six, hit sixteen winners during a dominant first-set performance.

Rybakina saved a couple of break points before taking all four points in the sixth game of the set to go a break up and served out to win the opening set.

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

However, having worked so hard to disrupt Rybakina's rhythm, Sabalenka let her opponent off the hook by squandering two chances in the following game to tie the second set at five-all.

Her inability to level the match impacted her tiebreak play, with the Kazakh winning every point to claim the championship.

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

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

"It was not the finest performance from me today but Rybakina you were definitely the superior player," Sabalenka addressed the crowd.

"You really smashed me on court. I'm happy to see you at your peak. Celebrate this stunning trophy."