19 of Medvedev's 21 titles have been earned on hardcourt
A comeback Daniil Medvedev secured his maiden championship for over two years with success over Corentin Moutet in the Almaty Open title decider.
The Russian, a ex- top-ranked player, has experienced a difficult year, achieving just a single victory at the big events and suffering a setback at the US Open.
Medvedev's varied form on the ATP Tour - and struggles with his serving in particular - resulted in him exiting of the world's top 10 and finally separating with former trainer his previous coach.
Now working with Thomas Johansson and his other coach, the tennis star has steadily progressed in the last few weeks - climaxing in a tightly fought 7-5 4-6 6-3 victory over opponent Moutet.
This represents Medvedev's maiden title after the 2023 Rome Masters and initial on a hardcourt since that period of 2023.
The win also means Medvedev has achieved 21 titles at 21 distinct competitions.
"For the first time I'm at a event with my both daughters at once, so to get a title is really nice," commented ranked player Medvedev.
"This title is in dedication of my second daughter Victoria, because the initial championship I won when my child my daughter was born was for her."
The athlete, the former major winner, had failed in his past six finals, featuring in Halle in the past months.
The player's retrieving strategy and regular outbursts on court had prompted commentators to doubt if his capacity to perform at the highest level was finished.
But the 29-year-old has made changes in recent weeks, striving to come to the net and compete aggressively, backed up by an better serving game.
The champion came back from a deficit in the first set against the tricky Frenchman, taking 4 of the last five exchanges to gain the advantage.
The competitors exchanged breaks in the second set before Moutet, striving for his initial ATP Tour championship, gained dominance to force a final set.
He saved 4 early-game break points in a close third set before the champion won the break to fifteen to close out the victory.
Suitably, he earned the title with a shot at the net, with Moutet incapable to handle a shot after over two and a half hours.
