Revitalized Medvedev Secures First Championship in Nearly 30 Months
19 of Medvedev's 21 titles have been earned on hard surfaces
A revitalized Daniil Medvedev claimed his maiden trophy for over two years with a win over opponent Moutet in the Almaty Open championship match.
Medvedev, a ex- number one, has endured a torrid season, winning just one win at the big events and suffering a meltdown at the American major.
His unpredictability on the professional circuit - and struggles with his service game in specific - resulted in him dropping out of the world's top 10 and ultimately parting ways with long-time coach his previous coach.
Currently working with Johansson and his other coach, he has gradually advanced in the past month - culminating in a closely contested competitive triumph over Frenchman Corentin Moutet.
This represents Medvedev's maiden trophy following the 2023 Rome Masters and maiden on a hard surface since spring of 2023.
Success also indicates Medvedev has secured 21 victories at twenty-one different events.
"This marks the first occasion I have attended a tournament with my both daughters simultaneously, so to get a trophy is particularly special," said world number 14 the champion.
"This title is in tribute of my younger daughter Victoria, because the first title I got when my child her name was born was for her."
The athlete, the past champion, had failed in his last six championship matches, including in that event earlier this year.
His defensive play style and recurring outbursts on the playing surface had prompted some to doubt if his capacity to play at the top level was finished.
But the 29-year-old has made changes in recent weeks, attempting to approach the net and perform positively, backed up by an enhanced serve.
Medvedev recovered from a break down in the initial set against the challenging opponent, securing four of the last five exchanges to gain the advantage.
The competitors swapped service breaks in the second set before Moutet, attempting for his initial professional championship, gained dominance to force a third set.
He saved 4 early opportunities in a competitive third set before the champion won the break to fifteen to secure the win.
Suitably, he clinched the win with a rally at the front of the court, with Moutet incapable to manage a return after a lengthy match.
