Rybakina Stuns Sabalenka to Secure Record £4 Million Prize
Rybakina earned her 45th hard court win of the year
Elena Rybakina claimed the biggest payday in WTA all time by overcoming world number one Sabalenka in straight sets at the championship.
The 26-year-old produced a impressive performance to overcome four-times Grand Slam winner her opponent 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in the host country.
Because each competitor advanced through the competition undefeated, the purse on offer was a unprecedented £3.98 million – the highest payout offering in women's tennis the sport's history.
This amount tops the £3.74m the Belarusian earned for claiming the New York major, which was the most lucrative Grand Slam in the current year.
"This has been an fantastic week," commented Rybakina.
"I honestly didn't expect any result so to go so far was just unbelievable."
"Let me offer congratulations to Aryna for holding the top spot for a second consecutive year in a row, it's an tremendous achievement."
Rybakina, who was the sixth-ranked player, delivered 16 winners during a impressive opening set performance.
The 2022 Wimbledon winner saved two chances before taking all four points in the sixth game to go a break up and held her serve to seal the opening set.
As the second set progressed, Sabalenka saved two break points at 4-4 to swing the momentum in her favor.
But, after fighting back to disrupt her opponent's flow, Sabalenka failed to capitalize by wasting a pair of set points in the next game to level the second set at 5-5.
Her inability to level the match affected her tie-break play, with the Kazakh taking all seven points to win the championship.
The victory, Rybakina's sixth over her rival, means she will move up one spot in the WTA rankings to number five in the world.
A distraught the runner-up was seen crying as she met with her team shortly after the final.
"That was not the finest performance from me in this match but Rybakina you were certainly the superior competitor," the Belarusian told the crowd.
"You literally overpowered me on court. I'm pleased to see you play your best tennis. Enjoy this stunning trophy."
