Revitalized Daniil Medvedev Wins Maiden Championship in 882 Days
Nineteen of the Russian's twenty-one titles have been earned on hardcourt
A revitalized Daniil Medvedev won his initial trophy for 882 days with a win over opponent Moutet in the tournament title decider.
The Russian, a ex- number one, has endured a challenging year, managing just one win at the Grand Slams and undergoing a setback at the US Open.
Medvedev's varied form on the professional circuit - and difficulties with his service game in particular - led to him dropping out of the top ten and finally parting ways with long-time trainer Cervara.
Now collaborating with Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke, Medvedev has consistently improved in the recent weeks - peaking in a closely contested competitive win over challenger Moutet.
This marks his initial championship after the Italian tournament and initial on a hard surface from March of that year.
Victory also signifies he has achieved 21 titles at twenty-one different competitions.
"It's the first time I am participating in a event with my two daughters simultaneously, so to get a championship is particularly special," said world number 14 the champion.
"This championship is in tribute of my younger daughter my daughter, because the initial championship I won when my child Alisa was born was for her."
The tennis star, the past champion, had lost his past six championship matches, featuring in that event previously this season.
His counter-punching play style and recurring outbursts on the playing surface had led commentators to wonder if his skill to compete at the elite level was over.
However the 29-year-old has altered his approach in the past month, making an effort to approach the net and compete assertively, supported by an enhanced service.
The champion recovered from a disadvantage in the opening set against the challenging Frenchman, securing 4 of the last five exchanges to gain the advantage.
Both players traded breaks in the middle set before the challenger, striving for his first ATP Tour victory, gained dominance to create a third set.
He rescued 4 early-game break points in a close deciding set before Medvedev secured a break to fifteen to serve for the match.
Fittingly, the winner clinched the win with a rally at the front of the court, with Moutet unable to handle a return after two hours and 38 minutes.