Resurgent Medvedev Wins First Trophy in Nearly 30 Months
Nineteen of Medvedev's twenty-one championships have been won on hard courts
A comeback Medvedev claimed his initial championship for nearly 30 months with a win over Frenchman Moutet in the Almaty Open title decider.
Medvedev, a former world number one, has experienced a difficult year, achieving just a single victory at the big events and suffering a meltdown at the US Open.
The player's varied form on the tennis tour - and struggles with his serving in especial - caused him dropping out of the elite rankings and finally separating with long-term trainer Cervara.
Now working with Thomas Johansson and Goetzke, Medvedev has gradually advanced in the last few weeks - peaking in a tightly fought 7-5 4-6 6-3 win over Frenchman Moutet.
This represents the player's initial title following the 2023 Rome Masters and maiden on a hardcourt since March of that year.
Victory also signifies he has secured 21 victories at 21 distinct events.
"It's the first time I have attended a competition with my both daughters simultaneously, so to get a championship is really nice," commented world number 14 Daniil Medvedev.
"This victory is in honour of my younger daughter Victoria, because the maiden victory I got when my child my daughter was born was for her."
The athlete, the former major winner, had failed in his last six finals, featuring in Halle in the past months.
His retrieving approach and regular outbursts on court had prompted some to wonder if his skill to perform at the elite level was finished.
But the 29-year-old has implemented adjustments in the last few weeks, making an effort to advance forward and compete positively, reinforced by an improved service.
Medvedev recovered from a break down in the first set against the difficult Frenchman, taking 4 of the last five exchanges to take the lead.
The pair swapped service breaks in the middle set before Moutet, attempting for his first ATP Tour title, took control to create a decider.
Moutet defended 4 early-game chances in a tight third set before the Russian won the break to fifteen to secure the win.
Appropriately, Medvedev clinched victory with a rally at the net area, with the Frenchman unable to handle a volley after two hours and 38 minutes.
