19 of Daniil Medvedev's 21 championships have been earned on hard courts
A revitalized Daniil Medvedev secured his maiden championship for over two years with a win over Corentin Moutet in the Almaty Open title decider.
The athlete, a former number one, has had a challenging season, managing just one match at the major tournaments and suffering a setback at the American major.
Medvedev's varied form on the professional circuit - and difficulties with his service game in specific - led to him dropping out of the top ten and eventually separating with long-term coach Gilles Cervara.
Presently collaborating with Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke, he has steadily improved in the last few weeks - climaxing in a hard-fought 7-5 4-6 6-3 victory over Frenchman Moutet.
This represents Medvedev's maiden trophy since the Rome competition and maiden on a hard surface since that period of 2023.
Success also signifies he has secured twenty-one championships at 21 distinct tournaments.
"It's the first time I have attended a tournament with my two daughters together, so to get a title is especially meaningful," stated world number 14 Daniil Medvedev.
"This championship is in tribute of my younger daughter her name, because the first title I won when my first daughter Alisa was born was for her."
The athlete, the past champion, had failed in his past six finals, comprising in that event in the past months.
His counter-punching approach and frequent outbursts on the tennis court had led observers to doubt if his ability to perform at the highest level was over.
But the player has implemented adjustments in the past month, striving to come to the net and play assertively, supported by an better serve.
The champion fought back from a disadvantage in the first set against the difficult Moutet, taking four of the final five exchanges to gain the advantage.
The pair swapped service breaks in the second set before the challenger, attempting for his first tour championship, gained dominance to create a final set.
The opponent saved 4 initial chances in a competitive final set before the champion secured a break to 15 to secure the win.
Fittingly, the winner secured the win with a shot at the front of the court, with his opponent unable to handle a shot after over two and a half hours.
