Revitalized Daniil Medvedev Wins First Title in 882 Days
Nineteen of Daniil Medvedev's 21 championships have been achieved on hard courts
A comeback the Russian player claimed his maiden title for nearly 30 months with success over Frenchman Moutet in the Almaty Open championship match.
Medvedev, a former world number one, has had a difficult season, achieving just one match at the major tournaments and undergoing a meltdown at the US Open.
Medvedev's varied form on the tennis tour - and struggles with his serve in especial - caused him dropping out of the top ten and eventually splitting with former mentor Cervara.
Currently working with Johansson and Goetzke, he has steadily progressed in the last few weeks - culminating in a tightly fought competitive triumph over challenger Corentin Moutet.
This marks his maiden title after the 2023 Rome Masters and initial on a hard court since March of 2023.
The win also indicates Medvedev has achieved 21 victories at 21 different tournaments.
"It's the first time I am participating in a event with my two daughters together, so to win a trophy is particularly special," stated ranked player Medvedev.
"This victory is in tribute of my second daughter her name, because the initial championship I got when my older daughter her name was born was for her."
The tennis star, the former major winner, had lost his last six title deciders, including in the German tournament previously this season.
Medvedev's counter-punching strategy and frequent reactions on the playing surface had caused some to question if his capacity to compete at the elite level was over.
But the 29-year-old has implemented adjustments in the past month, striving to approach the net and play aggressively, backed up by an improved service.
The champion fought back from a break down in the initial set against the tricky Frenchman, securing four of the final five games to gain the advantage.
The pair exchanged break points in the second set before Moutet, striving for his initial tour victory, gained dominance to create a final set.
He defended 4 early-game opportunities in a competitive third set before Medvedev secured a break to 15 to close out the victory.
Appropriately, he secured the win with a rally at the net area, with Moutet unable to handle a return after a lengthy match.
