Resurgent Medvedev Claims Maiden Title in 882 Days

A comeback the Russian player won his maiden trophy for 882 days with success over opponent Moutet in the Almaty Open title decider.

The athlete, a ex- top-ranked player, has endured a torrid period, winning just one win at the Grand Slams and undergoing a difficult moment at the New York tournament.

His unpredictability on the ATP Tour - and difficulties with his service game in specific - caused him dropping out of the top ten and finally parting ways with long-time trainer Gilles Cervara.

Currently collaborating with his coach and Rohan Goetzke, Medvedev has gradually improved in the past month - peaking in a closely contested 7-5 4-6 6-3 triumph over opponent Corentin Moutet.

This marks his maiden trophy following the Italian tournament and maiden on a hard court from spring of that year.

The win also signifies he has won 21 championships at 21 various competitions.

"For the first time I have attended a competition with my both daughters simultaneously, so to get a trophy is particularly special," commented world number 14 the champion.

"This championship is in honour of my child my daughter, because the initial championship I got when my first daughter her name was delivered was for her."

Medvedev, the past champion, had been defeated in his past six championship matches, including in the German tournament in the past months.

Medvedev's counter-punching approach and recurring outbursts on the tennis court had prompted commentators to question if his capacity to compete at the highest level was finished.

However the athlete has made changes in recent weeks, attempting to come to the net and play assertively, backed up by an better serving game.

The champion recovered from a disadvantage in the first set against the tricky Moutet, taking four of the final five games to gain the advantage.

The competitors swapped service breaks in the middle set before the challenger, attempting for his first tour victory, seized the initiative to force a final set.

Moutet saved 4 initial opportunities in a competitive final set before Medvedev broke to that score to secure the win.

Appropriately, Medvedev clinched the win with a shot at the net, with his opponent failing to control a volley after two hours and 38 minutes.