19 of Daniil Medvedev's 21 titles have been earned on hardcourt
A comeback Daniil Medvedev won his initial trophy for over two years with victory over Corentin Moutet in the Almaty Open final.
Medvedev, a former number one, has had a torrid year, winning just one match at the Grand Slams and undergoing a difficult moment at the New York tournament.
Medvedev's varied form on the tennis tour - and issues with his service game in especial - caused him exiting of the top ten and eventually parting ways with former trainer Cervara.
Currently working with Thomas Johansson and his other coach, Medvedev has consistently progressed in the recent weeks - culminating in a closely contested competitive victory over Frenchman Corentin Moutet.
This represents Medvedev's maiden title since the Rome competition and initial on a hard court since spring of 2023.
Victory also means Medvedev has won twenty-one titles at 21 different tournaments.
"This marks the first occasion I'm at a event with my two daughters together, so to get a trophy is especially meaningful," commented ranked player Medvedev.
"This victory is in tribute of my child my daughter, because the initial championship I won when my older daughter her name was delivered was for her."
The tennis star, the former major winner, had lost his last six title deciders, comprising in that event in the past months.
Medvedev's defensive strategy and regular emotional displays on the playing surface had led commentators to wonder if his ability to compete at the highest level was concluded.
Yet the player has altered his approach in the last few weeks, striving to approach the net and compete assertively, reinforced by an better serve.
He recovered from a disadvantage in the initial set against the challenging Moutet, winning 4 of the last five exchanges to go ahead.
The pair swapped break points in the second set before the challenger, bidding for his initial professional championship, seized the initiative to force a decider.
The opponent rescued 4 early-game opportunities in a competitive third set before Medvedev won the break to that score to close out the victory.
Suitably, the winner clinched the title with a shot at the front of the court, with his opponent unable to handle a shot after a lengthy match.
