Comeback Medvedev Claims First Championship in Nearly 30 Months
Nineteen of the Russian's 21 titles have been achieved on hard surfaces
A resurgent Medvedev claimed his first championship for nearly 30 months with a win over opponent Moutet in the competition final.
The Russian, a former top-ranked player, has experienced a torrid year, achieving just one match at the Grand Slams and undergoing a difficult moment at the American major.
Medvedev's unpredictability on the ATP Tour - and issues with his service game in especial - resulted in him dropping out of the world's top 10 and eventually splitting with long-time coach Cervara.
Presently working with Johansson and Goetzke, the tennis star has gradually progressed in the recent weeks - peaking in a hard-fought competitive triumph over challenger Corentin Moutet.
This represents the player's initial trophy since the Italian tournament and maiden on a hard surface after that period of that year.
The win also indicates he has won twenty-one victories at twenty-one different tournaments.
"This marks the first occasion I'm at a event with my two daughters together, so to get a title is particularly special," said tennis professional Daniil Medvedev.
"This title is in dedication of my second daughter my daughter, because the first title I got when my first daughter Alisa was born was for her."
The athlete, the former major winner, had failed in his past six title deciders, including in that event in the past months.
The player's defensive approach and frequent outbursts on the playing surface had prompted commentators to doubt if his ability to play at the top level was finished.
Yet the athlete has made changes in recent weeks, making an effort to approach the net and perform positively, backed up by an enhanced service.
Medvedev fought back from a disadvantage in the initial set against the difficult Frenchman, winning 4 of the concluding five games to gain the advantage.
Both players swapped service breaks in the second set before the Frenchman, bidding for his maiden professional title, gained dominance to create a decider.
Moutet defended 4 early-game opportunities in a tight third set before the Russian broke to 15 to close out the victory.
Suitably, the winner earned victory with a shot at the net area, with the Frenchman unable to manage a volley after two hours and 38 minutes.
