19 of Daniil Medvedev's twenty-one titles have been earned on hard courts
A comeback Daniil Medvedev won his first title for nearly 30 months with victory over Frenchman Moutet in the Almaty Open championship match.
The Russian, a former number one, has had a torrid season, achieving just one match at the Grand Slams and experiencing a meltdown at the American major.
Medvedev's varied form on the tennis tour - and struggles with his serve in specific - caused him dropping out of the top ten and ultimately splitting with long-time coach Gilles Cervara.
Now collaborating with his coach and Goetzke, the tennis star has steadily improved in the recent weeks - peaking in a closely contested three-set victory over opponent Moutet.
This marks his first title after the 2023 Rome Masters and first on a hard surface after March of the previous year.
Success also signifies he has achieved twenty-one championships at 21 distinct competitions.
"This marks the first occasion I'm at a event with my two daughters at once, so to secure a championship is especially meaningful," said world number 14 the champion.
"This title is in honour of my child Victoria, because the initial championship I achieved when my child my daughter was born was for her."
Medvedev, the former major winner, had been defeated in his previous six title deciders, featuring in the German tournament previously this season.
The player's retrieving play style and recurring emotional displays on the tennis court had prompted some to wonder if his capacity to compete at the highest level was over.
However the 29-year-old has altered his approach in the last few weeks, making an effort to come to the net and compete aggressively, backed up by an enhanced service.
He came back from a deficit in the opening set against the tricky Frenchman, taking four of the final five games to take the lead.
Both players swapped service breaks in the second set before the challenger, attempting for his initial professional victory, took control to create a third set.
The opponent saved four early-game break points in a competitive third set before the champion secured a break to that score to secure the win.
Appropriately, Medvedev clinched the title with a rally at the net area, with his opponent unable to manage a return after a lengthy match.
