19 of Daniil Medvedev's 21 victories have been won on hard surfaces
A comeback Daniil Medvedev secured his first championship for nearly 30 months with a win over Corentin Moutet in the Almaty Open championship match.
The Russian, a former number one, has had a challenging period, winning just one win at the Grand Slams and experiencing a setback at the New York tournament.
His varied form on the ATP Tour - and issues with his serving in particular - resulted in him exiting of the top ten and eventually splitting with long-term coach his previous coach.
Currently collaborating with his coach and Rohan Goetzke, he has consistently progressed in the past month - climaxing in a closely contested competitive victory over Frenchman Corentin Moutet.
This represents Medvedev's maiden championship since the Italian tournament and initial on a hard surface since March of 2023.
The win also means he has achieved 21 championships at 21 distinct events.
"For the first time I have attended a tournament with my children simultaneously, so to get a trophy is particularly special," commented ranked player the champion.
"This title is in dedication of my child my daughter, because the initial championship I won when my older daughter Alisa was born was for her."
Medvedev, the past champion, had lost his previous six finals, including in that event earlier this year.
The player's defensive play style and frequent reactions on the playing surface had led commentators to doubt if his skill to play at the elite level was concluded.
Yet the 29-year-old has made changes in the last few weeks, striving to advance forward and compete assertively, backed up by an enhanced serve.
Medvedev fought back from a break down in the first set against the tricky Moutet, winning 4 of the final five games to take the lead.
Both players traded break points in the second set before the Frenchman, bidding for his first professional title, seized the initiative to force a decider.
He defended 4 early break points in a close final set before Medvedev won the break to 15 to secure the win.
Fittingly, the winner clinched the title with a point at the front of the court, with his opponent failing to manage a volley after over two and a half hours.
