19 of Daniil Medvedev's twenty-one championships have been won on hard courts
A revitalized Daniil Medvedev claimed his first trophy for nearly 30 months with success over Corentin Moutet in the Almaty Open title decider.
Medvedev, a ex- world number one, has had a difficult season, managing just one match at the big events and suffering a meltdown at the New York tournament.
The player's unpredictability on the ATP Tour - and issues with his serve in specific - resulted in him dropping out of the elite rankings and ultimately splitting with long-time mentor Gilles Cervara.
Now training with Johansson and Rohan Goetzke, the tennis star has steadily improved in the past month - culminating in a hard-fought three-set win over challenger Moutet.
This marks the player's initial title following the 2023 Rome Masters and initial on a hard surface from March of that year.
Victory also indicates the Russian has secured 21 victories at 21 various tournaments.
"It's the first time I have attended a event with my two daughters simultaneously, so to get a title is especially meaningful," commented ranked player Daniil Medvedev.
"This title is in tribute of my child Victoria, because the first title I got when my older daughter her name was delivered was for her."
Medvedev, the past champion, had been defeated in his last six title deciders, comprising in that event previously this season.
Medvedev's retrieving strategy and frequent emotional displays on the tennis court had led observers to question if his skill to play at the top level was concluded.
Yet the 29-year-old has implemented adjustments in recent weeks, making an effort to approach the net and play aggressively, supported by an better service.
He came back from a break down in the opening set against the tricky Moutet, winning four of the concluding five exchanges to gain the advantage.
Both players exchanged service breaks in the following set before the challenger, bidding for his initial tour title, gained dominance to create a final set.
Moutet saved 4 early-game chances in a competitive deciding set before the champion won the break to fifteen to close out the victory.
Fittingly, Medvedev secured victory with a rally at the net area, with the Frenchman unable to manage a return after over two and a half hours.
