Resurgent Daniil Medvedev Claims Maiden Trophy in 882 Days
19 of Daniil Medvedev's 21 titles have been earned on hard surfaces
A resurgent Medvedev secured his first championship for over two years with victory over Corentin Moutet in the Almaty Open final.
Medvedev, a ex- world number one, has endured a torrid period, winning just a single victory at the big events and experiencing a difficult moment at the US Open.
Medvedev's varied form on the ATP Tour - and difficulties with his service game in particular - caused him exiting of the elite rankings and finally separating with long-time trainer his previous coach.
Now training with his coach and Goetzke, Medvedev has consistently advanced in the past month - climaxing in a closely contested 7-5 4-6 6-3 win over challenger Moutet.
This marks the player's first championship since the 2023 Rome Masters and first on a hard court from that period of the previous year.
Success also means Medvedev has won 21 titles at twenty-one distinct events.
"For the first time I am participating in a tournament with my both daughters together, so to win a title is particularly special," said world number 14 Daniil Medvedev.
"This title is in honour of my second daughter Victoria, because the maiden victory I achieved when my older daughter Alisa was born was for her."
Medvedev, the past champion, had lost his past six finals, including in that event in the past months.
His counter-punching approach and recurring emotional displays on court had prompted commentators to question if his skill to play at the top level was concluded.
But the 29-year-old has altered his approach in recent weeks, striving to come to the net and compete aggressively, backed up by an improved service.
He fought back from a disadvantage in the initial set against the difficult opponent, taking four of the concluding five points to go ahead.
The competitors traded service breaks in the second set before the Frenchman, bidding for his initial tour championship, gained dominance to create a final set.
The opponent saved four early-game opportunities in a close deciding set before the Russian secured a break to 15 to close out the victory.
Appropriately, he earned the title with a rally at the front of the court, with his opponent unable to manage a volley after over two and a half hours.