Elena Rybakina defeated world number one Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets to win the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia last Saturday (November 8).

The 26-year-old powered past the four-time Grand Slam champion 6-3, 7-6 (7-0). The victory not only earned her the season-ending title but also the largest single payday in women’s tennis history, a record-breaking £3.98 million.

Rybakina came out firing, hitting 16 winners to dominate the first set. Sabalenka battled back in the second, saving two break points at 4-4 and creating two set points of her own, but Rybakina held firm and swept the tiebreak 7-0 to seal the win.

It was Rybakina’s sixth career win over Sabalenka, and it will lift her to world number five in the next rankings.