Revitalized Daniil Medvedev Secures Maiden Championship in Nearly 30 Months

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Nineteen of Medvedev's twenty-one titles have been earned on hard surfaces

A revitalized Medvedev secured his maiden title for nearly 30 months with a win over Corentin Moutet in the Almaty Open championship match.

The Russian, a former top-ranked player, has endured a difficult season, managing just one win at the big events and experiencing a setback at the New York tournament.

Medvedev's varied form on the ATP Tour - and struggles with his service game in particular - resulted in him exiting of the top ten and finally parting ways with long-term mentor Cervara.

Presently collaborating with Johansson and Rohan Goetzke, Medvedev has consistently improved in the recent weeks - peaking in a closely contested 7-5 4-6 6-3 triumph over challenger Moutet.

This represents the player's initial title following the Rome competition and first on a hard court from spring of that year.

The win also means the Russian has won twenty-one victories at 21 different tournaments.

"It's the first time I am participating in a tournament with my two daughters simultaneously, so to win a trophy is really nice," stated world number 14 Daniil Medvedev.

"This victory is in honour of my child Victoria, because the maiden victory I achieved when my older daughter Alisa was delivered was for her."

Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion, had been defeated in his past six championship matches, comprising in the German tournament earlier this year.

The player's counter-punching play style and regular reactions on the playing surface had caused observers to question if his ability to perform at the highest level was over.

However the 29-year-old has altered his approach in recent weeks, attempting to come to the net and perform assertively, supported by an enhanced serving game.

He came back from a disadvantage in the initial set against the difficult opponent, securing four of the concluding five games to gain the advantage.

Both players traded breaks in the middle set before the challenger, bidding for his first professional victory, took control to create a final set.

Moutet rescued four early chances in a close deciding set before Medvedev won the break to 15 to close out the victory.

Appropriately, he secured the win with a point at the front of the court, with the Frenchman incapable to manage a shot after over two and a half hours.

Michelle White
Michelle White

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