Resurgent Medvedev Secures First Championship in Nearly 30 Months
19 of Daniil Medvedev's twenty-one victories have been earned on hardcourt
A revitalized Medvedev won his maiden title for 882 days with victory over Frenchman Moutet in the Almaty Open title decider.
The athlete, a former top-ranked player, has endured a difficult period, managing just one win at the Grand Slams and experiencing a meltdown at the US Open.
His varied form on the ATP Tour - and issues with his serving in particular - caused him falling of the top ten and finally separating with former mentor Gilles Cervara.
Now training with Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke, he has steadily improved in the last few weeks - culminating in a tightly fought 7-5 4-6 6-3 win over challenger Moutet.
It is Medvedev's maiden title since the Rome competition and first on a hardcourt after March of that year.
Success also indicates Medvedev has won 21 titles at 21 various tournaments.
"It's the first time I am participating in a competition with my children at once, so to get a title is especially meaningful," commented world number 14 Daniil Medvedev.
"This title is in dedication of my child Victoria, because the first title I achieved when my first daughter Alisa was born was for her."
Medvedev, the former major winner, had failed in his last six title deciders, including in that event previously this season.
Medvedev's counter-punching approach and frequent emotional displays on the tennis court had prompted commentators to doubt if his ability to play at the elite level was concluded.
However the 29-year-old has altered his approach in the last few weeks, making an effort to approach the net and compete positively, reinforced by an enhanced service.
He fought back from a break down in the initial set against the challenging opponent, securing four of the final five games to gain the advantage.
Both players swapped breaks in the second set before Moutet, attempting for his maiden tour championship, gained dominance to create a decider.
Moutet saved 4 initial opportunities in a competitive deciding set before the champion won the break to that score to secure the win.
Appropriately, Medvedev earned the win with a shot at the front of the court, with Moutet unable to manage a return after two hours and 38 minutes.
