Resurgent Daniil Medvedev Wins First Trophy in Over Two Years

A resurgent Medvedev won his first championship for over two years with a win over Frenchman Moutet in the Almaty Open championship match.

The Russian, a ex- top-ranked player, has experienced a challenging year, winning just one win at the big events and suffering a meltdown at the US Open.

Medvedev's varied form on the professional circuit - and difficulties with his serve in particular - resulted in him falling of the world's top 10 and ultimately parting ways with long-term trainer his previous coach.

Now training with Thomas Johansson and his other coach, the tennis star has steadily improved in the past month - climaxing in a tightly fought competitive triumph over Frenchman Corentin Moutet.

It is Medvedev's first title after the Rome competition and first on a hardcourt since March of the previous year.

Victory also indicates the Russian has secured 21 championships at 21 distinct events.

"For the first time I'm at a tournament with my both daughters together, so to get a trophy is really nice," commented tennis professional Medvedev.

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

The athlete, the 2021 US Open champion, had failed in his past six championship matches, including in the German tournament in the past months.

Medvedev's retrieving strategy and recurring outbursts on the tennis court had caused observers to wonder if his skill to compete at the elite level was concluded.

Yet the player has implemented adjustments in recent weeks, attempting to advance forward and play positively, backed up by an better serving game.

The champion came back from a break down in the opening set against the challenging Frenchman, taking four of the last five points to gain the advantage.

Both players traded break points in the following set before the challenger, striving for his initial tour victory, gained dominance to force a decider.

He saved 4 initial break points in a tight final set before the champion broke to 15 to serve for the match.

Appropriately, he clinched victory with a shot at the net area, with Moutet failing to manage a return after two hours and 38 minutes.