19 of Daniil Medvedev's 21 titles have been earned on hard courts
A comeback Daniil Medvedev secured his initial trophy for 882 days with a win over opponent Moutet in the Almaty Open championship match.
The Russian, a ex- number one, has had a torrid period, winning just a single victory at the major tournaments and undergoing a meltdown at the New York tournament.
Medvedev's varied form on the professional circuit - and struggles with his serving in especial - caused him dropping out of the elite rankings and ultimately separating with former trainer Gilles Cervara.
Presently collaborating with Johansson and Rohan Goetzke, Medvedev has gradually advanced in the past month - peaking in a hard-fought 7-5 4-6 6-3 triumph over challenger Moutet.
It is his first trophy after the Italian tournament and maiden on a hardcourt after that period of the previous year.
Victory also indicates he has won twenty-one victories at 21 distinct competitions.
"For the first time I have attended a competition with my two daughters together, so to win a title is really nice," said tennis professional Medvedev.
"This title is in honour of my second daughter my daughter, because the maiden victory I got when my older daughter her name was born was for her."
The tennis star, the past champion, had failed in his last six title deciders, including in the German tournament previously this season.
Medvedev's defensive strategy and frequent reactions on the tennis court had prompted observers to wonder if his ability to play at the highest level was finished.
Yet the 29-year-old has altered his approach in recent weeks, making an effort to approach the net and compete assertively, backed up by an better serving game.
The champion came back from a disadvantage in the opening set against the tricky Moutet, securing 4 of the final five games to go ahead.
The competitors traded service breaks in the following set before Moutet, striving for his initial ATP Tour championship, gained dominance to create a decider.
He rescued 4 early opportunities in a close deciding set before the Russian won the break to fifteen to close out the victory.
Appropriately, the winner clinched the title with a shot at the front of the court, with the Frenchman unable to manage a shot after over two and a half hours.
