Revitalized Daniil Medvedev Claims Maiden Trophy in Over Two Years
Nineteen of Medvedev's twenty-one championships have been earned on hard surfaces
A comeback Medvedev claimed his first trophy for over two years with victory over Corentin Moutet in the competition championship match.
The Russian, a ex- world number one, has experienced a difficult year, winning just a single victory at the Grand Slams and experiencing a meltdown at the New York tournament.
Medvedev's inconsistency on the tennis tour - and struggles with his service game in particular - caused him falling of the elite rankings and ultimately splitting with long-time trainer Cervara.
Now training with his coach and Rohan Goetzke, the tennis star has gradually progressed in the last few weeks - climaxing in a tightly fought 7-5 4-6 6-3 victory over challenger Moutet.
This marks the player's first championship after the 2023 Rome Masters and first on a hard surface after that period of that year.
Victory also indicates Medvedev has won twenty-one victories at twenty-one various tournaments.
"This marks the first occasion I'm at a tournament with my children together, so to secure a trophy is really nice," said world number 14 the champion.
"This championship is in dedication of my younger daughter Victoria, because the initial championship I got when my older daughter Alisa was born was for her."
Medvedev, the former major winner, had been defeated in his past six finals, comprising in that event in the past months.
His defensive strategy and recurring reactions on court had prompted some to question if his skill to perform at the top level was finished.
However the player has made changes in the last few weeks, striving to approach the net and play positively, backed up by an improved serve.
The champion recovered from a disadvantage in the initial set against the challenging opponent, securing four of the last five exchanges to go ahead.
Both players traded service breaks in the following set before the challenger, bidding for his maiden professional title, gained dominance to create a decider.
He defended four initial opportunities in a competitive third set before Medvedev secured a break to fifteen to serve for the match.
Suitably, the winner earned victory with a shot at the net area, with the Frenchman failing to handle a return after two hours and 38 minutes.
