Resurgent Medvedev Claims First Championship in Over Two Years
Nineteen of Daniil Medvedev's twenty-one titles have been won on hard surfaces
A revitalized Medvedev secured his first championship for over two years with success over opponent Moutet in the Almaty Open final.
The Russian, a ex- world number one, has had a challenging year, managing just a single victory at the big events and experiencing a meltdown at the New York tournament.
His varied form on the ATP Tour - and issues with his serving in particular - led to him falling of the world's top 10 and finally splitting with former mentor his previous coach.
Now working with Johansson and Rohan Goetzke, the tennis star has steadily advanced in the recent weeks - peaking in a hard-fought competitive triumph over challenger Moutet.
It is the player's initial championship after the Italian tournament and first on a hard surface from spring of that year.
Victory also signifies Medvedev has achieved twenty-one championships at twenty-one different tournaments.
"For the first time I'm at a competition with my both daughters at once, so to get a trophy is particularly special," said ranked player Daniil Medvedev.
"This title is in honour of my child Victoria, because the first title I achieved when my older daughter Alisa was born was for her."
The tennis star, the 2021 US Open champion, had been defeated in his last six championship matches, including in Halle earlier this year.
His defensive strategy and frequent outbursts on court had caused some to doubt if his skill to compete at the top level was finished.
But the 29-year-old has made changes in the last few weeks, striving to advance forward and compete aggressively, supported by an improved serve.
He fought back from a disadvantage in the initial set against the challenging Moutet, winning four of the final five games to go ahead.
The competitors exchanged break points in the second set before Moutet, attempting for his first ATP Tour title, took control to force a decider.
The opponent rescued four early opportunities in a competitive third set before the Russian won the break to fifteen to close out the victory.
Suitably, Medvedev secured victory with a shot at the net area, with the Frenchman incapable to manage a return after over two and a half hours.
