Rybakina Upsets Sabalenka to Claim Historic £4m Payout
Rybakina earned her forty-fifth hard-court win of the year
Rybakina claimed the largest prize in women's tennis history by overcoming top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in two sets at the tournament.
The 26-year-old delivered a stunning performance to overcome four-time Grand Slam winner her opponent 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in the host country.
Since each competitor advanced through the competition undefeated, the purse on the table was a record-breaking £3.98 million – the highest prize offering in WTA the sport's history.
The prize money surpasses the £3.74 million the Belarusian won for claiming September's US Open, which was the highest-paying major tournament in the current year.
"It's been an amazing tournament," stated Rybakina.
"I honestly couldn't have predicted any result so to reach the final was just remarkable."
"Let me offer praise to Sabalenka for being number one for a second consecutive year running, it's an incredible achievement."
The champion, who was the world number six, hit sixteen winners during a dominant first-set display.
Rybakina fended off two chances before winning all four points in the sixth game to take the break and served out to win the first set.
As the second set progressed, the world number one defended two opportunities at 4-4 to swing the momentum in her favor.
However, after fighting back to disrupt her opponent's flow, Sabalenka failed to capitalize by wasting two chances in the following game to level the second set at five-all.
Her inability to level the match affected her tie-break performance, with the Kazakh taking all seven points to take home the title.
This win, Rybakina's sixth over Sabalenka, means she will rise one spot in the rankings to number five in the world rankings.
An emotional the runner-up was seen crying as she met with her coaching team soon after the final.
"It was not the best performance from me in this match but Rybakina you were definitely the better competitor," the Belarusian told the audience.
"You really overpowered me out of the court. I'm pleased to see you at your peak. Celebrate this stunning title."
