Resurgent Daniil Medvedev Secures Maiden Trophy in Nearly 30 Months
Nineteen of Daniil Medvedev's 21 championships have been achieved on hard surfaces
A resurgent the Russian player secured his maiden trophy for nearly 30 months with a win over Corentin Moutet in the Almaty Open championship match.
The Russian, a former number one, has endured a torrid season, winning just one match at the big events and suffering a difficult moment at the US Open.
Medvedev's varied form on the professional circuit - and struggles with his serve in particular - resulted in him exiting of the top ten and finally separating with long-time trainer Gilles Cervara.
Now training with Thomas Johansson and his other coach, he has consistently advanced in the past month - climaxing in a tightly fought competitive triumph over challenger Moutet.
This represents his maiden trophy since the Rome competition and initial on a hard court from spring of that year.
Success also indicates the Russian has won 21 victories at 21 different tournaments.
"This marks the first occasion I'm at a competition with my two daughters simultaneously, so to get a championship is really nice," commented world number 14 Medvedev.
"This championship is in honour of my second daughter Victoria, because the first title I got when my first daughter Alisa was delivered was for her."
Medvedev, the past champion, had failed in his past six finals, comprising in the German tournament previously this season.
Medvedev's retrieving strategy and frequent emotional displays on the playing surface had prompted some to doubt if his ability to compete at the top level was over.
But the athlete has altered his approach in recent weeks, attempting to advance forward and compete aggressively, supported by an improved serving game.
He fought back from a deficit in the initial set against the difficult opponent, winning four of the last five exchanges to go ahead.
Both players traded service breaks in the middle set before Moutet, attempting for his first ATP Tour title, seized the initiative to force a third set.
The opponent defended 4 early-game opportunities in a competitive deciding set before Medvedev broke to 15 to serve for the match.
Fittingly, the winner secured victory with a rally at the net area, with Moutet failing to control a shot after a lengthy match.
