19 of Daniil Medvedev's twenty-one victories have been earned on hardcourt
A revitalized Daniil Medvedev secured his initial title for over two years with success over Corentin Moutet in the Almaty Open championship match.
The Russian, a ex- number one, has experienced a difficult year, managing just a single victory at the big events and undergoing a setback at the American major.
Medvedev's unpredictability on the professional circuit - and issues with his service game in specific - caused him exiting of the elite rankings and ultimately parting ways with former trainer Cervara.
Currently working with Johansson and Goetzke, Medvedev has gradually advanced in the last few weeks - culminating in a closely contested 7-5 4-6 6-3 triumph over opponent Corentin Moutet.
This marks his first title since the 2023 Rome Masters and first on a hard surface since that period of 2023.
The win also signifies he has won twenty-one titles at twenty-one distinct tournaments.
"For the first time I'm at a event with my two daughters at once, so to win a title is especially meaningful," commented world number 14 Daniil Medvedev.
"This championship is in dedication of my child her name, because the initial championship I won when my child Alisa was born was for her."
The tennis star, the former major winner, had lost his last six championship matches, featuring in the German tournament in the past months.
Medvedev's retrieving play style and regular reactions on the playing surface had prompted commentators to doubt if his capacity to perform at the elite level was finished.
Yet the athlete has altered his approach in recent weeks, making an effort to approach the net and compete assertively, reinforced by an better serve.
He came back from a break down in the initial set against the difficult opponent, securing four of the last five exchanges to go ahead.
Both players exchanged service breaks in the following set before Moutet, attempting for his first tour victory, gained dominance to force a third set.
He defended four early break points in a close final set before the champion broke to that score to secure the win.
Suitably, Medvedev secured victory with a point at the front of the court, with the Frenchman failing to manage a volley after over two and a half hours.
