19 of Daniil Medvedev's twenty-one championships have been achieved on hard surfaces
A resurgent Daniil Medvedev claimed his first title for 882 days with success over Corentin Moutet in the Almaty Open title decider.
Medvedev, a former world number one, has endured a torrid period, achieving just a single victory at the major tournaments and undergoing a difficult moment at the New York tournament.
His inconsistency on the ATP Tour - and issues with his service game in specific - resulted in him exiting of the world's top 10 and eventually separating with long-term mentor Cervara.
Presently collaborating with Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke, he has consistently improved in the recent weeks - peaking in a closely contested 7-5 4-6 6-3 win over Frenchman Moutet.
It is the player's initial championship since the Italian tournament and maiden on a hard court after March of the previous year.
Victory also signifies Medvedev has secured 21 titles at twenty-one distinct competitions.
"For the first time I'm at a competition with my children together, so to win a title is really nice," stated tennis professional the champion.
"This title is in dedication of my second daughter Victoria, because the initial championship I achieved when my child her name was born was for her."
The athlete, the 2021 US Open champion, had been defeated in his previous six title deciders, including in the German tournament previously this season.
Medvedev's retrieving approach and frequent outbursts on the tennis court had prompted some to question if his capacity to compete at the top level was concluded.
Yet the athlete has made changes in recent weeks, attempting to approach the net and perform aggressively, supported by an improved service.
He came back from a break down in the initial set against the difficult Frenchman, taking 4 of the final five points to go ahead.
The competitors exchanged service breaks in the second set before the Frenchman, bidding for his maiden professional title, gained dominance to force a third set.
Moutet saved four initial opportunities in a close final set before the Russian secured a break to fifteen to secure the win.
Suitably, the winner clinched the title with a shot at the front of the court, with the Frenchman failing to handle a shot after two hours and 38 minutes.
