Resurgent Daniil Medvedev Secures First Championship in Over Two Years
19 of Medvedev's twenty-one championships have been earned on hard surfaces
A comeback the Russian player won his maiden championship for 882 days with victory over Corentin Moutet in the Almaty Open championship match.
The Russian, a ex- number one, has had a challenging season, winning just one match at the big events and undergoing a setback at the New York tournament.
His varied form on the tennis tour - and issues with his serve in particular - resulted in him falling of the top ten and ultimately parting ways with former mentor Gilles Cervara.
Now training with Thomas Johansson and Goetzke, he has steadily improved in the past month - peaking in a closely contested 7-5 4-6 6-3 victory over challenger Moutet.
This represents Medvedev's maiden championship since the Italian tournament and maiden on a hard court after that period of 2023.
Success also signifies Medvedev has achieved 21 titles at 21 different tournaments.
"It's the first time I am participating in a event with my children at once, so to secure a title is particularly special," commented ranked player Medvedev.
"This championship is in tribute of my child my daughter, because the first title I won when my older daughter her name was born was for her."
Medvedev, the former major winner, had been defeated in his last six championship matches, featuring in Halle previously this season.
His defensive play style and frequent outbursts on the tennis court had led commentators to doubt if his skill to compete at the highest level was finished.
But the 29-year-old has implemented adjustments in the past month, attempting to advance forward and compete positively, supported by an improved serving game.
The champion recovered from a deficit in the initial set against the difficult opponent, taking four of the final five games to gain the advantage.
Both players swapped service breaks in the second set before Moutet, attempting for his initial ATP Tour championship, gained dominance to force a final set.
Moutet saved four initial opportunities in a competitive third set before the Russian won the break to 15 to secure the win.
Suitably, Medvedev clinched the win with a point at the net, with his opponent incapable to manage a shot after over two and a half hours.
