Comeback Daniil Medvedev Secures Maiden Title in Over Two Years
Nineteen of Medvedev's 21 championships have been achieved on hard surfaces
A comeback Medvedev claimed his initial title for 882 days with success over opponent Moutet in the Almaty Open final.
Medvedev, a ex- world number one, has had a challenging year, managing just a single victory at the Grand Slams and suffering a meltdown at the New York tournament.
Medvedev's varied form on the tennis tour - and struggles with his service game in particular - led to him falling of the elite rankings and finally splitting with long-time trainer Cervara.
Now working with Johansson and Goetzke, Medvedev has steadily improved in the last few weeks - climaxing in a closely contested competitive win over Frenchman Moutet.
It is the player's maiden championship following the 2023 Rome Masters and maiden on a hard court since that period of the previous year.
Victory also signifies the Russian has achieved 21 titles at 21 different tournaments.
"This marks the first occasion I am participating in a competition with my both daughters simultaneously, so to secure a championship is really nice," commented tennis professional Daniil Medvedev.
"This championship is in dedication of my child Victoria, because the initial championship I won when my child her name was born was for her."
Medvedev, the past champion, had been defeated in his past six championship matches, comprising in that event earlier this year.
The player's defensive strategy and frequent emotional displays on the tennis court had led commentators to doubt if his ability to compete at the elite level was finished.
But the 29-year-old has made changes in the past month, striving to come to the net and compete aggressively, backed up by an enhanced service.
The champion came back from a break down in the initial set against the challenging Frenchman, winning four of the concluding five games to go ahead.
The competitors traded service breaks in the following set before the Frenchman, striving for his maiden professional title, took control to force a third set.
Moutet rescued four early-game break points in a tight deciding set before Medvedev broke to fifteen to close out the victory.
Fittingly, Medvedev clinched the win with a point at the net area, with his opponent failing to control a return after a lengthy match.
