Nineteen of Daniil Medvedev's twenty-one championships have been achieved on hard courts
A resurgent Daniil Medvedev claimed his first title for nearly 30 months with success over opponent Moutet in the Almaty Open championship match.
Medvedev, a former top-ranked player, has had a challenging year, achieving just one match at the big events and suffering a meltdown at the New York tournament.
Medvedev's varied form on the ATP Tour - and struggles with his service game in specific - caused him falling of the elite rankings and finally parting ways with long-time coach his previous coach.
Presently collaborating with Johansson and his other coach, he has gradually progressed in the last few weeks - climaxing in a closely contested three-set triumph over challenger Moutet.
This represents his maiden championship after the Italian tournament and first on a hard court after that period of 2023.
The win also indicates Medvedev has won 21 victories at twenty-one distinct tournaments.
"It's the first time I'm at a tournament with my two daughters together, so to win a title is particularly special," commented world number 14 Daniil Medvedev.
"This victory is in tribute of my child her name, because the initial championship I won when my first daughter her name was delivered was for her."
Medvedev, the past champion, had failed in his previous six finals, featuring in that event earlier this year.
Medvedev's defensive play style and frequent emotional displays on the playing surface had led some to doubt if his capacity to compete at the highest level was concluded.
Yet the player has altered his approach in recent weeks, attempting to advance forward and perform aggressively, supported by an improved serve.
He recovered from a break down in the first set against the tricky opponent, taking four of the concluding five exchanges to gain the advantage.
Both players swapped break points in the middle set before the Frenchman, attempting for his maiden professional title, seized the initiative to force a final set.
The opponent saved 4 early-game chances in a close final set before the Russian secured a break to that score to serve for the match.
Appropriately, Medvedev earned the win with a shot at the front of the court, with his opponent failing to control a return after two hours and 38 minutes.
