Resurgent Daniil Medvedev Secures First Trophy in Over Two Years
19 of the Russian's 21 titles have been earned on hard courts
A resurgent Medvedev claimed his first title for 882 days with success over Corentin Moutet in the Almaty Open championship match.
The Russian, a former world number one, has had a difficult year, winning just one win at the major tournaments and experiencing a difficult moment at the New York tournament.
His unpredictability on the ATP Tour - and struggles with his serving in specific - resulted in him dropping out of the top ten and eventually parting ways with long-term mentor his previous coach.
Currently working with Thomas Johansson and his other coach, the tennis star has steadily improved in the past month - climaxing in a closely contested competitive triumph over opponent Moutet.
It is Medvedev's initial trophy after the Italian tournament and maiden on a hardcourt since March of the previous year.
Victory also means the Russian has won 21 victories at twenty-one different events.
"It's the first time I'm at a competition with my both daughters together, so to secure a trophy is especially meaningful," commented ranked player Daniil Medvedev.
"This victory is in dedication of my child my daughter, because the initial championship I got when my first daughter her name was born was for her."
The tennis star, the former major winner, had lost his previous six finals, featuring in Halle in the past months.
Medvedev's retrieving play style and regular emotional displays on court had prompted commentators to wonder if his skill to play at the elite level was finished.
Yet the 29-year-old has altered his approach in recent weeks, striving to come to the net and compete assertively, reinforced by an improved service.
Medvedev fought back from a deficit in the initial set against the challenging Moutet, securing four of the last five points to go ahead.
The pair exchanged break points in the following set before the Frenchman, bidding for his initial tour championship, took control to force a third set.
The opponent defended 4 early-game opportunities in a close deciding set before the champion won the break to that score to secure the win.
Appropriately, the winner clinched the win with a rally at the net area, with his opponent failing to control a shot after a lengthy match.