Revitalized Daniil Medvedev Claims Maiden Championship in Over Two Years
Nineteen of Medvedev's twenty-one titles have been won on hard surfaces
A comeback Medvedev won his first championship for 882 days with victory over Frenchman Moutet in the Almaty Open championship match.
The Russian, a former number one, has had a torrid period, achieving just one match at the Grand Slams and suffering a meltdown at the US Open.
The player's varied form on the ATP Tour - and struggles with his service game in particular - caused him exiting of the top ten and ultimately parting ways with long-time coach Cervara.
Now working with Johansson and his other coach, he has steadily advanced in the last few weeks - culminating in a tightly fought competitive win over opponent Corentin Moutet.
This marks the player's first trophy following the Rome competition and maiden on a hardcourt since March of the previous year.
Success also means he has secured 21 titles at 21 different events.
"It's the first time I am participating in a competition with my two daughters simultaneously, so to secure a championship is particularly special," commented ranked player Medvedev.
"This championship is in tribute of my child my daughter, because the maiden victory I achieved when my older daughter my daughter was delivered was for her."
Medvedev, the past champion, had been defeated in his previous six finals, featuring in the German tournament in the past months.
Medvedev's retrieving strategy and regular outbursts on the playing surface had prompted some to doubt if his skill to perform at the highest level was over.
But the 29-year-old has made changes in the past month, making an effort to come to the net and perform assertively, supported by an enhanced serving game.
He recovered from a disadvantage in the first set against the challenging opponent, winning four of the final five games to take the lead.
The competitors exchanged break points in the middle set before the challenger, striving for his initial tour title, seized the initiative to create a third set.
The opponent saved four initial opportunities in a competitive final set before the Russian won the break to 15 to close out the victory.
Suitably, the winner earned the title with a shot at the front of the court, with the Frenchman unable to manage a shot after two hours and 38 minutes.
