Revitalized Medvedev Claims Maiden Trophy in Nearly 30 Months
19 of Daniil Medvedev's twenty-one titles have been earned on hardcourt
A resurgent Daniil Medvedev secured his initial championship for 882 days with victory over Frenchman Moutet in the Almaty Open final.
The Russian, a former top-ranked player, has endured a torrid season, winning just one match at the major tournaments and undergoing a difficult moment at the American major.
Medvedev's inconsistency on the professional circuit - and issues with his serve in especial - resulted in him exiting of the world's top 10 and finally separating with long-time coach Cervara.
Presently training with his coach and his other coach, Medvedev has steadily improved in the past month - culminating in a hard-fought three-set triumph over Frenchman Moutet.
This represents his first title since the Italian tournament and maiden on a hard surface since March of the previous year.
The win also signifies he has achieved 21 victories at 21 different tournaments.
"This marks the first occasion I am participating in a event with my both daughters together, so to get a title is particularly special," stated world number 14 Daniil Medvedev.
"This victory is in tribute of my child my daughter, because the first title I won when my child my daughter was delivered was for her."
The tennis star, the past champion, had been defeated in his last six finals, comprising in Halle in the past months.
Medvedev's counter-punching approach and frequent reactions on the playing surface had prompted commentators to doubt if his ability to perform at the elite level was finished.
However the 29-year-old has altered his approach in the past month, striving to come to the net and compete aggressively, reinforced by an improved service.
He came back from a break down in the opening set against the challenging opponent, taking four of the last five points to go ahead.
Both players traded service breaks in the second set before the Frenchman, attempting for his initial ATP Tour victory, gained dominance to force a final set.
Moutet rescued four initial opportunities in a competitive third set before the champion secured a break to fifteen to serve for the match.
Fittingly, the winner earned victory with a point at the net, with the Frenchman failing to handle a return after over two and a half hours.
