Comeback Medvedev Claims Maiden Trophy in Nearly 30 Months
19 of Medvedev's 21 victories have been won on hard courts
A resurgent Daniil Medvedev secured his maiden trophy for nearly 30 months with a win over opponent Moutet in the Almaty Open title decider.
The athlete, a former number one, has experienced a difficult season, achieving just a single victory at the big events and suffering a meltdown at the New York tournament.
The player's inconsistency on the professional circuit - and issues with his serve in specific - resulted in him dropping out of the top ten and finally parting ways with former trainer Gilles Cervara.
Presently collaborating with Thomas Johansson and his other coach, the tennis star has consistently improved in the recent weeks - peaking in a tightly fought three-set victory over opponent Moutet.
This marks Medvedev's first title following the Italian tournament and maiden on a hard court after spring of the previous year.
The win also indicates the Russian has won twenty-one championships at twenty-one distinct tournaments.
"For the first time I am participating in a tournament with my two daughters at once, so to secure a title is especially meaningful," commented tennis professional Daniil Medvedev.
"This championship is in honour of my child my daughter, because the initial championship I got when my older daughter her name was born was for her."
The athlete, the 2021 US Open champion, had been defeated in his previous six championship matches, featuring in Halle in the past months.
The player's counter-punching play style and regular reactions on the playing surface had prompted observers to doubt if his ability to play at the top level was finished.
However the 29-year-old has implemented adjustments in the last few weeks, attempting to approach the net and play aggressively, supported by an enhanced service.
Medvedev fought back from a deficit in the first set against the tricky Moutet, securing four of the concluding five exchanges to go ahead.
The pair exchanged breaks in the middle set before the challenger, attempting for his first professional championship, took control to create a final set.
Moutet rescued 4 early chances in a close third set before the champion won the break to fifteen to serve for the match.
Suitably, the winner clinched victory with a shot at the net area, with his opponent failing to control a return after a lengthy match.
