Nineteen of Daniil Medvedev's twenty-one championships have been achieved on hard courts
A comeback Daniil Medvedev claimed his maiden trophy for over two years with a win over Frenchman Moutet in the Almaty Open championship match.
The athlete, a ex- number one, has endured a torrid period, managing just one match at the big events and experiencing a setback at the US Open.
The player's varied form on the ATP Tour - and difficulties with his serve in particular - led to him falling of the elite rankings and finally parting ways with long-time trainer his previous coach.
Presently training with his coach and his other coach, Medvedev has gradually improved in the recent weeks - culminating in a closely contested competitive triumph over opponent Moutet.
This marks his initial championship following the Italian tournament and maiden on a hard surface since March of 2023.
The win also means the Russian has won twenty-one titles at 21 different competitions.
"For the first time I'm at a event with my two daughters together, so to get a championship is particularly special," commented world number 14 Medvedev.
"This title is in tribute of my child Victoria, because the maiden victory I achieved when my child my daughter was born was for her."
Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion, had been defeated in his previous six championship matches, including in that event earlier this year.
Medvedev's counter-punching strategy and regular reactions on the playing surface had led observers to question if his skill to perform at the highest level was concluded.
But the player has made changes in the last few weeks, making an effort to advance forward and compete aggressively, reinforced by an better serve.
Medvedev came back from a disadvantage in the opening set against the challenging Frenchman, taking 4 of the final five points to gain the advantage.
The pair swapped break points in the following set before the challenger, striving for his first tour championship, gained dominance to push for a final set.
He saved four early-game chances in a close deciding set before Medvedev broke to that score to serve for the match.
Suitably, the winner secured the title with a point at the front of the court, with the Frenchman incapable to manage a return after over two and a half hours.
