Comeback Daniil Medvedev Secures First Trophy in Over Two Years
Nineteen of Daniil Medvedev's twenty-one titles have been won on hardcourt
A revitalized Medvedev secured his maiden championship for 882 days with success over Frenchman Moutet in the Almaty Open final.
Medvedev, a former world number one, has endured a difficult year, managing just one win at the Grand Slams and experiencing a meltdown at the New York tournament.
Medvedev's unpredictability on the ATP Tour - and issues with his serve in particular - resulted in him dropping out of the world's top 10 and eventually splitting with former trainer Cervara.
Presently collaborating with Thomas Johansson and Goetzke, the tennis star has gradually improved in the recent weeks - peaking in a closely contested 7-5 4-6 6-3 victory over Frenchman Corentin Moutet.
This marks Medvedev's first championship since the 2023 Rome Masters and initial on a hard court since that period of that year.
The win also indicates the Russian has achieved 21 championships at 21 different competitions.
"This marks the first occasion I am participating in a tournament with my two daughters at once, so to win a title is particularly special," commented ranked player Medvedev.
"This championship is in honour of my second daughter Victoria, because the maiden victory I achieved when my first daughter my daughter was born was for her."
The tennis star, the 2021 US Open champion, had lost his last six championship matches, featuring in Halle previously this season.
The player's retrieving approach and frequent outbursts on court had led some to question if his skill to perform at the highest level was concluded.
But the 29-year-old has altered his approach in recent weeks, attempting to advance forward and perform aggressively, reinforced by an enhanced serve.
Medvedev fought back from a break down in the initial set against the difficult Moutet, taking 4 of the last five games to gain the advantage.
The competitors swapped breaks in the middle set before Moutet, striving for his initial ATP Tour championship, gained dominance to create a final set.
The opponent defended 4 early-game break points in a close third set before the champion secured a break to that score to secure the win.
Fittingly, he clinched the win with a shot at the front of the court, with his opponent incapable to control a volley after a lengthy match.
