Resurgent Medvedev Claims Maiden Trophy in Nearly 30 Months
19 of Medvedev's twenty-one victories have been earned on hard courts
A resurgent Medvedev claimed his maiden championship for 882 days with a win over Corentin Moutet in the tournament title decider.
Medvedev, a former top-ranked player, has endured a difficult period, managing just one win at the Grand Slams and experiencing a setback at the American major.
The player's varied form on the ATP Tour - and difficulties with his serve in specific - resulted in him dropping out of the world's top 10 and ultimately separating with long-term trainer Gilles Cervara.
Now working with his coach and his other coach, he has consistently progressed in the last few weeks - climaxing in a closely contested 7-5 4-6 6-3 win over challenger Moutet.
This represents his first trophy since the Rome competition and maiden on a hard surface after spring of the previous year.
Victory also means the Russian has achieved twenty-one championships at 21 various events.
"For the first time I have attended a tournament with my both daughters simultaneously, so to secure a trophy is particularly special," stated world number 14 Medvedev.
"This championship is in honour of my younger daughter Victoria, because the first title I won when my child my daughter was born was for her."
Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion, had lost his previous six finals, featuring in that event previously this season.
Medvedev's defensive play style and regular emotional displays on the tennis court had prompted some to doubt if his capacity to play at the elite level was finished.
Yet the player has made changes in the last few weeks, striving to approach the net and perform positively, backed up by an improved serve.
Medvedev recovered from a deficit in the first set against the challenging Moutet, winning four of the concluding five exchanges to go ahead.
The pair exchanged break points in the middle set before Moutet, attempting for his initial tour victory, took control to force a final set.
He defended 4 early-game opportunities in a tight deciding set before the champion broke to fifteen to serve for the match.
Fittingly, he earned the title with a point at the front of the court, with the Frenchman incapable to control a volley after two hours and 38 minutes.
