Resurgent Daniil Medvedev Secures Maiden Trophy in Over Two Years
19 of Daniil Medvedev's twenty-one victories have been won on hard surfaces
A revitalized Daniil Medvedev claimed his maiden trophy for 882 days with victory over Corentin Moutet in the competition final.
The athlete, a ex- world number one, has endured a challenging season, achieving just one match at the major tournaments and experiencing a setback at the New York tournament.
Medvedev's varied form on the professional circuit - and difficulties with his serving in particular - resulted in him dropping out of the world's top 10 and ultimately splitting with long-term coach his previous coach.
Presently working with Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke, the tennis star has gradually advanced in the last few weeks - climaxing in a closely contested 7-5 4-6 6-3 win over opponent Corentin Moutet.
This represents Medvedev's first trophy following the Rome competition and first on a hard court since spring of the previous year.
Victory also means the Russian has secured twenty-one titles at twenty-one different tournaments.
"This marks the first occasion I am participating in a tournament with my both daughters simultaneously, so to secure a title is really nice," stated world number 14 Daniil Medvedev.
"This title is in honour of my second daughter her name, because the first title I won when my older daughter Alisa was born was for her."
The athlete, the former major winner, had failed in his last six finals, featuring in the German tournament previously this season.
The player's retrieving approach and recurring emotional displays on the playing surface had prompted commentators to question if his skill to perform at the top level was over.
However the 29-year-old has made changes in recent weeks, attempting to come to the net and play positively, supported by an enhanced serving game.
The champion came back from a disadvantage in the first set against the tricky Moutet, securing 4 of the last five exchanges to go ahead.
Both players swapped breaks in the middle set before the challenger, striving for his first ATP Tour championship, seized the initiative to push for a decider.
The opponent saved 4 early chances in a close third set before the champion secured a break to that score to close out the victory.
Appropriately, Medvedev secured victory with a shot at the net, with Moutet failing to control a return after over two and a half hours.