Revitalized Medvedev Secures First Title in Over Two Years
Nineteen of Daniil Medvedev's twenty-one championships have been earned on hardcourt
A resurgent Medvedev won his initial championship for nearly 30 months with success over Frenchman Moutet in the Almaty Open title decider.
Medvedev, a former top-ranked player, has endured a challenging season, managing just a single victory at the major tournaments and undergoing a setback at the American major.
Medvedev's inconsistency on the professional circuit - and difficulties with his serve in specific - resulted in him exiting of the elite rankings and ultimately separating with former trainer Cervara.
Currently training with his coach and Rohan Goetzke, Medvedev has consistently progressed in the past month - culminating in a closely contested three-set triumph over Frenchman Moutet.
This represents the player's maiden title following the 2023 Rome Masters and initial on a hard surface from that period of the previous year.
Success also signifies he has secured 21 titles at 21 different tournaments.
"For the first time I have attended a event with my both daughters at once, so to win a championship is particularly special," said world number 14 Medvedev.
"This championship is in honour of my second daughter Victoria, because the initial championship I won when my child Alisa was delivered was for her."
The tennis star, the past champion, had been defeated in his last six championship matches, including in Halle earlier this year.
The player's counter-punching strategy and regular emotional displays on the tennis court had caused observers to question if his capacity to perform at the elite level was over.
However the 29-year-old has implemented adjustments in the past month, striving to approach the net and play assertively, reinforced by an improved serve.
He fought back from a disadvantage in the initial set against the difficult opponent, taking four of the final five points to take the lead.
The pair swapped break points in the following set before the Frenchman, striving for his maiden tour victory, seized the initiative to force a final set.
Moutet saved 4 initial opportunities in a tight deciding set before the Russian broke to 15 to secure the win.
Appropriately, the winner clinched the win with a rally at the front of the court, with his opponent unable to handle a return after a lengthy match.
