Revitalized Daniil Medvedev Claims First Trophy in Nearly 30 Months
Nineteen of Daniil Medvedev's twenty-one titles have been achieved on hard surfaces
A resurgent Daniil Medvedev won his maiden title for over two years with victory over Frenchman Moutet in the competition title decider.
Medvedev, a ex- top-ranked player, has experienced a challenging year, winning just one win at the big events and suffering a difficult moment at the New York tournament.
Medvedev's varied form on the ATP Tour - and issues with his serve in specific - led to him dropping out of the elite rankings and ultimately separating with former mentor Gilles Cervara.
Now training with his coach and his other coach, Medvedev has gradually improved in the last few weeks - culminating in a closely contested three-set victory over opponent Moutet.
It is Medvedev's maiden title since the Italian tournament and maiden on a hard surface from that period of that year.
Success also signifies Medvedev has won 21 titles at 21 different tournaments.
"It's the first time I have attended a event with my two daughters at once, so to secure a trophy is especially meaningful," said world number 14 Medvedev.
"This victory is in dedication of my child my daughter, because the first title I won when my older daughter my daughter was born was for her."
Medvedev, the former major winner, had been defeated in his past six championship matches, featuring in that event previously this season.
His retrieving approach and regular emotional displays on court had led observers to question if his capacity to compete at the top level was concluded.
Yet the player has altered his approach in recent weeks, making an effort to approach the net and compete assertively, supported by an better serve.
The champion fought back from a break down in the opening set against the challenging Moutet, winning four of the final five games to take the lead.
Both players exchanged service breaks in the second set before Moutet, bidding for his initial tour championship, took control to push for a decider.
The opponent defended four initial break points in a tight final set before the Russian broke to fifteen to secure the win.
Appropriately, Medvedev earned the win with a rally at the front of the court, with the Frenchman failing to control a shot after a lengthy match.
