19 of Daniil Medvedev's twenty-one titles have been earned on hard courts
A resurgent Daniil Medvedev secured his first title for 882 days with a win over Frenchman Moutet in the Almaty Open final.
The Russian, a ex- number one, has experienced a difficult period, managing just one win at the big events and undergoing a setback at the US Open.
Medvedev's unpredictability on the tennis tour - and difficulties with his serve in especial - resulted in him dropping out of the top ten and ultimately separating with long-term coach Cervara.
Presently working with his coach and Rohan Goetzke, Medvedev has steadily advanced in the past month - peaking in a tightly fought 7-5 4-6 6-3 win over opponent Moutet.
It is Medvedev's first title since the Rome competition and maiden on a hard surface since that period of 2023.
The win also indicates he has secured twenty-one titles at twenty-one distinct tournaments.
"For the first time I'm at a tournament with my two daughters at once, so to win a title is particularly special," commented world number 14 Medvedev.
"This championship is in honour of my younger daughter my daughter, because the maiden victory I won when my older daughter her name was delivered was for her."
Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion, had been defeated in his last six finals, including in that event in the past months.
His counter-punching approach and recurring emotional displays on court had prompted commentators to question if his capacity to perform at the elite level was over.
However the athlete has altered his approach in recent weeks, attempting to come to the net and perform positively, backed up by an better serve.
He fought back from a deficit in the first set against the challenging Frenchman, taking 4 of the concluding five points to go ahead.
Both players swapped service breaks in the middle set before the challenger, attempting for his initial ATP Tour victory, took control to create a final set.
The opponent saved 4 initial opportunities in a competitive final set before the champion broke to that score to close out the victory.
Suitably, Medvedev earned the win with a rally at the net, with his opponent incapable to manage a return after a lengthy match.
