Sáblíková had won 10 successive races over the distance heading into today's showdown at the Sportforum in Berlin.

But four-time Olympic champion Wüst had already shown ominous form by winning the 1500m yesterday.

She stopped the clock at 4min 01.77sec in the third pair after setting a relentless pace from the outset. 

Sáblíková is famed for her strong finishes but even she was unable to rein in her opponent as she had to settle for second place in 4:02.38.

Russian Anna Yurakova collected bronze in 4:04.64.

Yurakova's team-mate Ruslan Murashov claimed gold and the World Cup lead over 500m elsewhere today.

He stopped the clock at 34.81 to beat Dutch duo Ronald Mulder, in 34.87, and Kai Verbij, in 34.92.

Murashov moves onto 445 World Cup to overhaul the total of 423 held by injured team-mate Pavel Kulizhnikov.

United States' Heather Bergsma claimed a fifth 1000m World Cup gold of the season today.

She clocked 1:15.42 to continue her 100 per cent record this campaign.

The Netherlands' Marrit Leenstra took silver with a time of 1:15.45.

Czech European Sprint champion Karolina Erbanova grabbed the bronze medal in 1:15.50.

Verbij followed his 500m bronze with a first career individual World Cup gold medal when he clocked 1:09.08 to triumph over 1000m.

Håvard Holmefjord Lorentzen of Norway placed second in 1:09.23. 

Home favourite Nico Ihle took bronze in 1:09.64.

Dutch World Cup leader and 1000m winner yesterday Kjeld Nuis did not compete today.