🔗 Share this article

A comeback the Russian player secured his first title for 882 days with a win over Frenchman Moutet in the Almaty Open final.

The Russian, a former top-ranked player, has endured a challenging season, achieving just one win at the Grand Slams and suffering a meltdown at the US Open.

Medvedev's inconsistency on the professional circuit - and struggles with his serve in specific - caused him exiting of the world's top 10 and finally separating with long-term mentor Gilles Cervara.

Currently collaborating with Johansson and Goetzke, he has steadily progressed in the recent weeks - peaking in a tightly fought competitive triumph over opponent Corentin Moutet.

This marks his initial championship following the 2023 Rome Masters and first on a hard surface after spring of 2023.

Victory also signifies the Russian has secured twenty-one championships at 21 different events.

"This marks the first occasion I'm at a event with my two daughters simultaneously, so to get a championship is really nice," said world number 14 Medvedev.

"This victory is in honour of my younger daughter her name, because the first title I won when my older daughter my daughter was delivered was for her."

The tennis star, the 2021 US Open champion, had been defeated in his previous six finals, featuring in that event earlier this year.

Medvedev's counter-punching play style and recurring reactions on the playing surface had caused some to question if his ability to compete at the highest level was finished.

But the player has implemented adjustments in recent weeks, striving to come to the net and play assertively, backed up by an enhanced serve.

The champion fought back from a break down in the first set against the tricky opponent, securing 4 of the concluding five exchanges to take the lead.

The competitors exchanged breaks in the second set before Moutet, attempting for his initial ATP Tour championship, seized the initiative to create a third set.

Moutet saved four early opportunities in a tight third set before Medvedev broke to that score to secure the win.

Appropriately, Medvedev clinched the title with a rally at the net area, with the Frenchman incapable to handle a volley after over two and a half hours.