Resurgent Daniil Medvedev Wins First Title in Over Two Years
19 of Daniil Medvedev's 21 championships have been won on hard surfaces
A resurgent Daniil Medvedev secured his initial title for nearly 30 months with success over Frenchman Moutet in the Almaty Open championship match.
The Russian, a former world number one, has experienced a challenging season, managing just a single victory at the big events and experiencing a difficult moment at the New York tournament.
His unpredictability on the tennis tour - and struggles with his serve in specific - led to him exiting of the elite rankings and finally parting ways with long-term trainer Cervara.
Currently working with Thomas Johansson and his other coach, Medvedev has consistently improved in the last few weeks - climaxing in a closely contested 7-5 4-6 6-3 victory over challenger Moutet.
This represents his initial title following the 2023 Rome Masters and maiden on a hard surface since spring of 2023.
The win also indicates Medvedev has achieved twenty-one championships at 21 different tournaments.
"This marks the first occasion I am participating in a tournament with my both daughters together, so to secure a title is really nice," stated tennis professional Daniil Medvedev.
"This championship is in dedication of my second daughter Victoria, because the initial championship I achieved when my child Alisa was delivered was for her."
The tennis star, the former major winner, had lost his last six title deciders, comprising in that event in the past months.
The player's counter-punching play style and recurring emotional displays on court had caused commentators to question if his capacity to play at the highest level was over.
However the player has altered his approach in the last few weeks, making an effort to advance forward and play assertively, reinforced by an improved serve.
Medvedev recovered from a break down in the opening set against the difficult Frenchman, taking 4 of the last five points to gain the advantage.
Both players traded breaks in the middle set before the Frenchman, bidding for his first tour victory, seized the initiative to push for a final set.
He rescued four initial chances in a tight third set before the Russian secured a break to fifteen to secure the win.
Appropriately, Medvedev secured the title with a rally at the net, with Moutet incapable to control a return after two hours and 38 minutes.
