A revitalised Daniil Medvedev has finally rediscovered his winning touch after the Russian claimed his first ATP title in 882 days after a tense three-set victory over France’s Corentin Moutet in the Almaty Open final.
Medvedev, once world number one, endured a turbulent spell marked by poor Grand Slam form, frequent on-court frustrations, and a public split with long-time coach Gilles Cervara.
However, under the fresh guidance of Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke, the 29-year-old has rediscovered his rhythm — and his confidence.
After a gruelling contest lasting two hours and 38 minutes, Medvedev prevailed 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. The win sealed his first title since the 2023 Rome Masters and his first on hard court since March of that same year.
A comeback built on composure and change
For much of the past year, Medvedev’s career appeared to be in free fall. His erratic serve, passive baseline play, and emotional meltdowns at key moments saw him tumble out of the world’s top 10. Yet in Almaty, there were clear signs of a more composed and proactive version of the Russian star.
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He showed patience when it mattered most, recovering from an early break in the first set before winning four of the final five games. Although Moutet hit back to level the contest, Medvedev’s tactical shift — attacking the net and serving with precision — eventually tilted the decider in his favour.
Even as the Frenchman saved four early break points, Medvedev’s persistence paid off. He broke Moutet in the eighth game and, fittingly, sealed the match with a point at the net.
A title with personal meaning
Beyond the numbers, this win carried deep emotional significance. “It’s the first time I’ve had both my daughters with me at a tournament,” Medvedev said after the victory. “This title is in honour of my second daughter, Victoria. My first title after Alisa was born was for her — now it’s Victoria’s turn.”
The victory also marked a rare feat: Medvedev has now won 21 titles at 21 different tournaments.
For a player who had lost his previous six finals, this moment felt like both relief and rebirth. After months of scrutiny and speculation, Medvedev reminded the tennis world that while his style may have evolved, his champion’s heart still beats strong.
Tags: Daniil Medvedev, Corentin Moutet, Almaty Open.
