19 of Daniil Medvedev's twenty-one titles have been achieved on hard surfaces
A resurgent Daniil Medvedev won his initial trophy for 882 days with a win over Frenchman Moutet in the Almaty Open title decider.
The Russian, a former number one, has endured a difficult year, achieving just one win at the major tournaments and undergoing a meltdown at the American major.
Medvedev's varied form on the tennis tour - and struggles with his serve in especial - caused him exiting of the top ten and ultimately separating with long-term coach his previous coach.
Currently working with his coach and Goetzke, the tennis star has consistently advanced in the last few weeks - culminating in a closely contested competitive victory over Frenchman Corentin Moutet.
This represents Medvedev's first title since the 2023 Rome Masters and maiden on a hard court from spring of that year.
Success also means he has secured 21 titles at 21 distinct tournaments.
"For the first time I have attended a tournament with my children simultaneously, so to get a championship is especially meaningful," commented world number 14 Medvedev.
"This title is in tribute of my younger daughter her name, because the first title I got when my first daughter her name was born was for her."
The tennis star, the 2021 US Open champion, had been defeated in his past six title deciders, including in that event earlier this year.
Medvedev's counter-punching play style and recurring outbursts on the tennis court had led some to question if his skill to compete at the top level was over.
Yet the athlete has made changes in the past month, making an effort to approach the net and compete assertively, reinforced by an enhanced serve.
He came back from a deficit in the first set against the difficult Moutet, winning four of the last five games to gain the advantage.
Both players traded service breaks in the middle set before the challenger, attempting for his first tour championship, took control to create a decider.
He defended 4 initial chances in a competitive third set before the Russian won the break to 15 to close out the victory.
Suitably, he earned the title with a rally at the front of the court, with his opponent incapable to handle a return after over two and a half hours.
