19 of Daniil Medvedev's 21 championships have been earned on hard courts
A resurgent Daniil Medvedev claimed his maiden championship for over two years with a win over Corentin Moutet in the Almaty Open championship match.
Medvedev, a former top-ranked player, has endured a difficult period, winning just one match at the major tournaments and undergoing a setback at the American major.
The player's unpredictability on the tennis tour - and issues with his service game in specific - led to him exiting of the world's top 10 and ultimately parting ways with long-time mentor his previous coach.
Now working with Johansson and Goetzke, the tennis star has steadily progressed in the recent weeks - culminating in a tightly fought three-set win over opponent Moutet.
It is Medvedev's initial trophy since the Rome competition and maiden on a hard surface since that period of the previous year.
Victory also signifies Medvedev has won twenty-one victories at 21 different tournaments.
"For the first time I'm at a event with my both daughters together, so to secure a championship is really nice," commented world number 14 the champion.
"This championship is in tribute of my child my daughter, because the maiden victory I won when my older daughter Alisa was born was for her."
The athlete, the past champion, had lost his previous six title deciders, including in Halle in the past months.
Medvedev's defensive strategy and frequent emotional displays on the tennis court had caused observers to doubt if his ability to perform at the top level was over.
Yet the player has implemented adjustments in recent weeks, striving to advance forward and play assertively, reinforced by an improved service.
He recovered from a break down in the opening set against the tricky opponent, securing 4 of the concluding five games to take the lead.
The competitors traded breaks in the middle set before the challenger, attempting for his first ATP Tour title, took control to force a decider.
He saved four initial break points in a tight final set before Medvedev won the break to fifteen to serve for the match.
Fittingly, he clinched the win with a shot at the net area, with Moutet unable to manage a return after two hours and 38 minutes.
