Revitalized Daniil Medvedev Claims First Championship in 882 Days
19 of Medvedev's 21 titles have been earned on hard surfaces
A comeback Daniil Medvedev secured his first championship for 882 days with victory over opponent Moutet in the tournament title decider.
The athlete, a ex- world number one, has endured a difficult season, managing just one win at the major tournaments and experiencing a difficult moment at the US Open.
His inconsistency on the tennis tour - and difficulties with his service game in particular - caused him falling of the top ten and ultimately splitting with former trainer Gilles Cervara.
Now collaborating with Johansson and Rohan Goetzke, he has gradually progressed in the last few weeks - culminating in a closely contested three-set triumph over challenger Moutet.
This marks the player's maiden championship since the Italian tournament and initial on a hard surface after March of that year.
The win also signifies the Russian has won 21 titles at 21 different events.
"This marks the first occasion I'm at a event with my both daughters simultaneously, so to secure a title is particularly special," said world number 14 Medvedev.
"This title is in tribute of my second daughter her name, because the first title I got when my child my daughter was born was for her."
The tennis star, the 2021 US Open champion, had been defeated in his last six championship matches, featuring in that event earlier this year.
His counter-punching strategy and regular reactions on the tennis court had caused observers to doubt if his ability to perform at the top level was finished.
Yet the player has made changes in the last few weeks, striving to approach the net and compete aggressively, backed up by an better serve.
Medvedev recovered from a break down in the first set against the tricky Moutet, winning 4 of the last five exchanges to take the lead.
Both players exchanged break points in the following set before the challenger, attempting for his first tour championship, seized the initiative to push for a decider.
He defended 4 early chances in a tight third set before Medvedev won the break to that score to close out the victory.
Fittingly, the winner clinched the title with a point at the net area, with Moutet unable to control a return after a lengthy match.
