Revitalized Daniil Medvedev Secures First Trophy in 882 Days
Nineteen of Medvedev's 21 championships have been achieved on hardcourt
A resurgent Daniil Medvedev claimed his initial championship for 882 days with a win over Frenchman Moutet in the Almaty Open final.
The Russian, a former top-ranked player, has experienced a torrid period, achieving just one match at the major tournaments and suffering a meltdown at the US Open.
The player's unpredictability on the ATP Tour - and issues with his service game in specific - led to him falling of the world's top 10 and ultimately parting ways with long-time mentor his previous coach.
Now training with Thomas Johansson and Goetzke, he has gradually progressed in the last few weeks - climaxing in a hard-fought competitive victory over Frenchman Moutet.
This marks Medvedev's first championship following the Italian tournament and maiden on a hard court from March of that year.
Victory also indicates Medvedev has secured twenty-one victories at twenty-one distinct tournaments.
"This marks the first occasion I have attended a event with my children together, so to win a title is especially meaningful," commented tennis professional Medvedev.
"This championship is in dedication of my second daughter Victoria, because the initial championship I got when my child her name was born was for her."
Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion, had lost his previous six finals, featuring in Halle previously this season.
His counter-punching approach and frequent reactions on court had caused observers to wonder if his ability to compete at the top level was finished.
Yet the athlete has made changes in the last few weeks, striving to advance forward and play aggressively, backed up by an better serve.
Medvedev came back from a break down in the opening set against the tricky Moutet, securing 4 of the final five points to go ahead.
The competitors traded service breaks in the following set before the challenger, striving for his first tour championship, seized the initiative to create a final set.
The opponent saved 4 initial break points in a competitive final set before Medvedev won the break to fifteen to close out the victory.
Fittingly, the winner secured victory with a rally at the front of the court, with the Frenchman incapable to control a volley after over two and a half hours.
