19 of Daniil Medvedev's 21 championships have been achieved on hard courts
A resurgent Daniil Medvedev secured his maiden title for 882 days with success over Frenchman Moutet in the Almaty Open title decider.
Medvedev, a former top-ranked player, has experienced a difficult season, achieving just one win at the big events and suffering a difficult moment at the New York tournament.
Medvedev's varied form on the tennis tour - and difficulties with his serving in particular - caused him exiting of the top ten and ultimately parting ways with long-time trainer his previous coach.
Presently training with Johansson and his other coach, he has steadily progressed in the recent weeks - peaking in a closely contested competitive victory over challenger Corentin Moutet.
This represents Medvedev's initial trophy since the 2023 Rome Masters and first on a hardcourt after March of the previous year.
Victory also signifies Medvedev has won 21 titles at twenty-one distinct events.
"It's the first time I'm at a event with my two daughters together, so to win a title is particularly special," stated world number 14 the champion.
"This title is in honour of my second daughter Victoria, because the initial championship I achieved when my first daughter her name was born was for her."
Medvedev, the past champion, had failed in his previous six championship matches, including in the German tournament earlier this year.
His retrieving approach and recurring emotional displays on the tennis court had caused some to wonder if his capacity to compete at the top level was over.
However the 29-year-old has made changes in recent weeks, making an effort to advance forward and compete positively, reinforced by an improved serving game.
The champion recovered from a deficit in the initial set against the challenging opponent, winning 4 of the concluding five points to go ahead.
The competitors exchanged breaks in the middle set before the challenger, attempting for his first ATP Tour championship, seized the initiative to force a final set.
Moutet saved 4 early chances in a tight deciding set before the champion secured a break to fifteen to close out the victory.
Fittingly, the winner secured the win with a shot at the front of the court, with his opponent unable to control a return after two hours and 38 minutes.
