Comeback Medvedev Secures First Title in Nearly 30 Months
19 of the Russian's twenty-one titles have been won on hard courts
A resurgent the Russian player secured his first championship for nearly 30 months with a win over Frenchman Moutet in the Almaty Open title decider.
The athlete, a former world number one, has had a challenging year, winning just one match at the big events and experiencing a difficult moment at the New York tournament.
The player's varied form on the tennis tour - and struggles with his service game in especial - resulted in him dropping out of the elite rankings and ultimately separating with long-time mentor Cervara.
Presently training with Johansson and Rohan Goetzke, he has gradually progressed in the last few weeks - culminating in a hard-fought 7-5 4-6 6-3 victory over opponent Moutet.
This marks the player's first trophy since the Rome competition and maiden on a hardcourt from March of the previous year.
The win also signifies Medvedev has won 21 championships at 21 distinct events.
"For the first time I am participating in a tournament with my two daughters together, so to get a title is especially meaningful," commented ranked player Daniil Medvedev.
"This title is in tribute of my younger daughter Victoria, because the maiden victory I won when my child my daughter was born was for her."
The athlete, the former major winner, had lost his past six title deciders, comprising in Halle previously this season.
His defensive play style and regular emotional displays on the tennis court had led commentators to question if his skill to compete at the elite level was over.
But the player has altered his approach in the past month, making an effort to come to the net and perform aggressively, reinforced by an enhanced serving game.
The champion recovered from a deficit in the opening set against the challenging opponent, winning 4 of the concluding five points to go ahead.
The competitors swapped breaks in the following set before the Frenchman, bidding for his maiden professional title, took control to create a final set.
The opponent defended four early opportunities in a close final set before the Russian broke to 15 to close out the victory.
Fittingly, Medvedev clinched the title with a rally at the net, with Moutet incapable to control a volley after a lengthy match.