Resurgent Daniil Medvedev Claims First Championship in 882 Days
19 of Daniil Medvedev's 21 victories have been earned on hardcourt
A revitalized the Russian player secured his first title for over two years with a win over Frenchman Moutet in the Almaty Open title decider.
The Russian, a former number one, has endured a challenging season, winning just one match at the Grand Slams and suffering a setback at the American major.
His varied form on the professional circuit - and difficulties with his serving in specific - resulted in him exiting of the elite rankings and eventually splitting with long-time coach Cervara.
Presently working with Johansson and Goetzke, he has steadily advanced in the last few weeks - peaking in a hard-fought competitive triumph over Frenchman Moutet.
This marks Medvedev's maiden title following the Rome competition and maiden on a hardcourt since that period of the previous year.
The win also indicates Medvedev has achieved twenty-one championships at twenty-one different competitions.
"For the first time I am participating in a competition with my two daughters simultaneously, so to secure a title is really nice," stated tennis professional Daniil Medvedev.
"This victory is in honour of my child Victoria, because the initial championship I won when my child her name was born was for her."
Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion, had been defeated in his past six championship matches, featuring in Halle previously this season.
The player's retrieving approach and regular emotional displays on the playing surface had caused some to question if his ability to play at the highest level was over.
Yet the player has made changes in the past month, striving to approach the net and compete aggressively, backed up by an improved serve.
The champion recovered from a disadvantage in the opening set against the challenging Moutet, securing four of the concluding five games to gain the advantage.
The pair exchanged breaks in the middle set before Moutet, striving for his initial ATP Tour victory, took control to force a final set.
He rescued 4 early-game opportunities in a competitive deciding set before the Russian broke to that score to serve for the match.
Fittingly, he clinched the win with a shot at the front of the court, with his opponent failing to control a volley after over two and a half hours.
