Resurgent Daniil Medvedev Secures First Trophy in Nearly 30 Months
Nineteen of Medvedev's twenty-one titles have been won on hard surfaces
A comeback Medvedev won his initial championship for over two years with a win over Frenchman Moutet in the Almaty Open final.
The Russian, a former world number one, has had a challenging period, managing just a single victory at the big events and undergoing a meltdown at the New York tournament.
Medvedev's varied form on the professional circuit - and difficulties with his serving in particular - led to him exiting of the elite rankings and ultimately splitting with long-time trainer Gilles Cervara.
Currently collaborating with Johansson and Goetzke, Medvedev has gradually improved in the last few weeks - culminating in a tightly fought 7-5 4-6 6-3 triumph over challenger Moutet.
This represents Medvedev's first championship after the Rome competition and maiden on a hardcourt since spring of 2023.
Victory also means Medvedev has won 21 championships at 21 different tournaments.
"It's the first time I am participating in a competition with my both daughters simultaneously, so to win a title is really nice," stated tennis professional the champion.
"This title is in honour of my child my daughter, because the initial championship I won when my first daughter Alisa was delivered was for her."
The tennis star, the past champion, had lost his last six championship matches, comprising in that event previously this season.
His retrieving strategy and recurring emotional displays on court had prompted some to wonder if his skill to compete at the highest level was finished.
But the player has implemented adjustments in the past month, striving to approach the net and perform positively, supported by an improved serving game.
He recovered from a break down in the first set against the difficult Moutet, winning four of the concluding five games to take the lead.
The pair traded break points in the middle set before the challenger, bidding for his first ATP Tour victory, took control to push for a final set.
The opponent defended four early-game opportunities in a close final set before the champion won the break to 15 to serve for the match.
Fittingly, the winner earned the win with a shot at the net area, with the Frenchman incapable to manage a volley after over two and a half hours.
