Revitalized Medvedev Claims Maiden Trophy in Nearly 30 Months
19 of Daniil Medvedev's 21 titles have been earned on hard surfaces
A revitalized Daniil Medvedev claimed his initial trophy for nearly 30 months with victory over opponent Moutet in the Almaty Open final.
Medvedev, a ex- top-ranked player, has experienced a challenging period, winning just one win at the Grand Slams and suffering a setback at the American major.
The player's inconsistency on the tennis tour - and issues with his service game in especial - led to him exiting of the world's top 10 and finally separating with long-time mentor Gilles Cervara.
Now training with Johansson and his other coach, he has consistently advanced in the last few weeks - peaking in a hard-fought three-set victory over Frenchman Corentin Moutet.
This represents Medvedev's first trophy following the Rome competition and initial on a hard surface after that period of 2023.
Victory also signifies Medvedev has secured 21 victories at 21 distinct events.
"This marks the first occasion I am participating in a event with my children together, so to win a title is particularly special," said world number 14 Daniil Medvedev.
"This title is in tribute of my child my daughter, because the initial championship I got when my child her name was born was for her."
The athlete, the 2021 US Open champion, had failed in his past six championship matches, including in Halle in the past months.
His defensive approach and regular emotional displays on the playing surface had led observers to doubt if his skill to compete at the highest level was concluded.
Yet the player has made changes in the past month, making an effort to advance forward and play aggressively, backed up by an improved serving game.
He fought back from a break down in the first set against the difficult Moutet, taking four of the concluding five games to go ahead.
The pair swapped break points in the middle set before the Frenchman, bidding for his first ATP Tour championship, seized the initiative to create a third set.
The opponent defended four initial break points in a close third set before the champion won the break to fifteen to serve for the match.
Suitably, the winner clinched the win with a shot at the front of the court, with the Frenchman unable to control a volley after a lengthy match.
