19 of Daniil Medvedev's 21 victories have been achieved on hard courts
A revitalized Daniil Medvedev won his maiden championship for 882 days with victory over Corentin Moutet in the Almaty Open championship match.
The Russian, a ex- number one, has endured a difficult season, managing just a single victory at the Grand Slams and suffering a meltdown at the American major.
His inconsistency on the tennis tour - and struggles with his serving in particular - led to him exiting of the world's top 10 and ultimately splitting with former trainer Cervara.
Now training with Johansson and his other coach, Medvedev has gradually improved in the recent weeks - peaking in a hard-fought 7-5 4-6 6-3 win over opponent Moutet.
This marks Medvedev's first championship since the 2023 Rome Masters and first on a hard court from spring of 2023.
The win also signifies Medvedev has achieved 21 championships at 21 distinct tournaments.
"For the first time I have attended a event with my two daughters simultaneously, so to secure a championship is particularly special," commented world number 14 the champion.
"This victory is in honour of my child my daughter, because the maiden victory I got when my first daughter Alisa was born was for her."
Medvedev, the former major winner, had lost his past six championship matches, comprising in the German tournament previously this season.
His retrieving approach and frequent emotional displays on the tennis court had caused observers to doubt if his skill to compete at the highest level was over.
However the player has made changes in the last few weeks, attempting to advance forward and compete aggressively, backed up by an improved serving game.
He fought back from a deficit in the initial set against the tricky opponent, winning four of the last five games to go ahead.
The pair exchanged break points in the second set before the Frenchman, bidding for his first tour championship, seized the initiative to push for a final set.
Moutet saved 4 initial opportunities in a close deciding set before the Russian secured a break to that score to secure the win.
Fittingly, he secured the win with a rally at the front of the court, with his opponent incapable to control a return after over two and a half hours.
