Resurgent Medvedev Wins Maiden Trophy in Over Two Years
Nineteen of Daniil Medvedev's twenty-one championships have been earned on hardcourt
A comeback Medvedev secured his maiden championship for 882 days with victory over opponent Moutet in the Almaty Open championship match.
The Russian, a former number one, has experienced a torrid season, achieving just one win at the major tournaments and experiencing a difficult moment at the New York tournament.
The player's inconsistency on the ATP Tour - and struggles with his serving in specific - caused him dropping out of the elite rankings and ultimately parting ways with long-term trainer Gilles Cervara.
Currently working with Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke, Medvedev has consistently advanced in the past month - culminating in a hard-fought 7-5 4-6 6-3 triumph over challenger Moutet.
This marks the player's initial title since the 2023 Rome Masters and initial on a hardcourt since spring of that year.
Victory also signifies he has won twenty-one victories at twenty-one various competitions.
"This marks the first occasion I am participating in a event with my two daughters together, so to get a championship is really nice," stated ranked player Medvedev.
"This title is in tribute of my second daughter my daughter, because the maiden victory I got when my child Alisa was delivered was for her."
Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion, had failed in his last six title deciders, comprising in that event previously this season.
Medvedev's counter-punching play style and regular outbursts on court had caused some to wonder if his ability to compete at the highest level was finished.
Yet the 29-year-old has implemented adjustments in recent weeks, making an effort to approach the net and perform assertively, reinforced by an better serve.
He fought back from a deficit in the first set against the difficult opponent, securing four of the final five points to gain the advantage.
The pair exchanged break points in the second set before the Frenchman, bidding for his initial ATP Tour victory, seized the initiative to create a final set.
He rescued 4 early-game opportunities in a close third set before the Russian secured a break to 15 to serve for the match.
Suitably, Medvedev clinched the title with a shot at the front of the court, with his opponent unable to control a return after a lengthy match.
