Comeback Daniil Medvedev Claims Maiden Trophy in Nearly 30 Months
19 of Daniil Medvedev's 21 victories have been earned on hardcourt
A comeback the Russian player secured his maiden trophy for over two years with success over opponent Moutet in the Almaty Open title decider.
The Russian, a former world number one, has endured a challenging period, winning just one match at the big events and undergoing a meltdown at the US Open.
The player's inconsistency on the ATP Tour - and issues with his serve in specific - led to him dropping out of the top ten and eventually separating with long-time mentor Cervara.
Currently collaborating with Johansson and Goetzke, he has steadily advanced in the recent weeks - culminating in a closely contested 7-5 4-6 6-3 win over challenger Moutet.
It is Medvedev's initial title following the Rome competition and first on a hard court since spring of that year.
Success also means the Russian has won 21 championships at 21 different tournaments.
"This marks the first occasion I have attended a competition with my both daughters simultaneously, so to secure a title is especially meaningful," commented tennis professional Daniil Medvedev.
"This title is in honour of my younger daughter her name, because the first title I won when my child her name was born was for her."
Medvedev, the former major winner, had lost his last six championship matches, comprising in that event earlier this year.
The player's defensive strategy and regular emotional displays on the tennis court had prompted commentators to doubt if his skill to compete at the top level was over.
Yet the player has made changes in the past month, striving to approach the net and perform assertively, backed up by an better serving game.
He fought back from a break down in the initial set against the challenging Moutet, taking 4 of the concluding five points to take the lead.
Both players traded break points in the middle set before Moutet, striving for his first professional victory, took control to force a decider.
The opponent defended 4 initial chances in a close third set before Medvedev broke to 15 to close out the victory.
Appropriately, he secured the title with a point at the net area, with his opponent unable to handle a shot after over two and a half hours.
