Nineteen of Daniil Medvedev's twenty-one championships have been won on hard surfaces
A comeback Daniil Medvedev claimed his initial championship for over two years with victory over Corentin Moutet in the Almaty Open championship match.
Medvedev, a ex- number one, has endured a challenging year, winning just one match at the major tournaments and suffering a meltdown at the New York tournament.
Medvedev's unpredictability on the tennis tour - and struggles with his serving in especial - led to him exiting of the world's top 10 and eventually separating with former mentor Cervara.
Currently collaborating with his coach and his other coach, he has steadily advanced in the last few weeks - peaking in a tightly fought three-set victory over opponent Moutet.
It is his first championship since the Italian tournament and initial on a hardcourt after that period of that year.
The win also means he has won 21 victories at 21 different events.
"It's the first time I'm at a tournament with my two daughters simultaneously, so to win a championship is especially meaningful," said ranked player Medvedev.
"This title is in dedication of my younger daughter her name, because the initial championship I got when my child Alisa was delivered was for her."
Medvedev, the past champion, had been defeated in his past six championship matches, featuring in Halle in the past months.
Medvedev's defensive play style and recurring outbursts on the playing surface had caused observers to question if his skill to perform at the highest level was concluded.
However the athlete has altered his approach in the last few weeks, striving to come to the net and perform assertively, reinforced by an enhanced serving game.
The champion recovered from a break down in the opening set against the difficult Moutet, taking 4 of the final five exchanges to take the lead.
The competitors traded service breaks in the second set before the challenger, bidding for his first professional victory, seized the initiative to push for a decider.
The opponent saved 4 early-game chances in a close final set before the Russian won the break to 15 to secure the win.
Appropriately, he secured the win with a shot at the front of the court, with Moutet unable to manage a shot after over two and a half hours.
