Comeback Daniil Medvedev Claims First Championship in Nearly 30 Months
Nineteen of Daniil Medvedev's twenty-one championships have been won on hardcourt
A resurgent Daniil Medvedev claimed his maiden title for 882 days with victory over Frenchman Moutet in the Almaty Open final.
The Russian, a ex- number one, has experienced a torrid season, winning just one match at the Grand Slams and undergoing a setback at the American major.
Medvedev's unpredictability on the ATP Tour - and issues with his serving in especial - resulted in him exiting of the world's top 10 and ultimately parting ways with long-time trainer his previous coach.
Now training with Thomas Johansson and his other coach, the tennis star has steadily advanced in the past month - peaking in a hard-fought three-set triumph over challenger Moutet.
This marks the player's first title after the 2023 Rome Masters and initial on a hardcourt after March of the previous year.
Success also signifies the Russian has achieved twenty-one championships at 21 different events.
"It's the first time I have attended a competition with my both daughters at once, so to get a trophy is particularly special," commented world number 14 the champion.
"This title is in honour of my younger daughter Victoria, because the first title I won when my older daughter her name was born was for her."
The athlete, the past champion, had failed in his last six finals, including in the German tournament in the past months.
The player's defensive play style and regular outbursts on the tennis court had prompted observers to question if his capacity to play at the top level was finished.
Yet the player has made changes in recent weeks, striving to advance forward and play assertively, reinforced by an improved serve.
He fought back from a deficit in the opening set against the tricky opponent, securing 4 of the final five exchanges to gain the advantage.
The pair exchanged break points in the following set before the Frenchman, attempting for his initial tour title, seized the initiative to force a third set.
The opponent saved four early-game opportunities in a close third set before the Russian secured a break to that score to secure the win.
Suitably, the winner clinched the title with a shot at the net area, with his opponent incapable to control a return after over two and a half hours.
