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Thursday, October 8, 2026
DailyLines

Resurgent Daniil Medvedev Secures First Title in Over Two Years

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Nineteen of the Russian's 21 championships have been won on hardcourt

A resurgent Medvedev won his initial title for over two years with a win over Frenchman Moutet in the Almaty Open championship match.

The Russian, a ex- number one, has experienced a difficult season, achieving just a single victory at the Grand Slams and undergoing a setback at the New York tournament.

His varied form on the professional circuit - and issues with his serve in especial - resulted in him dropping out of the elite rankings and ultimately separating with former mentor Gilles Cervara.

Currently training with Thomas Johansson and his other coach, he has gradually improved in the recent weeks - peaking in a closely contested competitive win over opponent Moutet.

It is the player's first championship following the Italian tournament and first on a hardcourt since that period of 2023.

The win also indicates he has secured 21 victories at twenty-one different tournaments.

"This marks the first occasion I'm at a event with my two daughters together, so to secure a championship is especially meaningful," stated world number 14 the champion.

"This championship is in honour of my child Victoria, because the first title I won when my child her name was born was for her."

The athlete, the former major winner, had lost his past six finals, featuring in the German tournament in the past months.

His retrieving play style and regular emotional displays on the playing surface had caused some to doubt if his skill to play at the elite level was finished.

However the 29-year-old has implemented adjustments in recent weeks, striving to approach the net and play positively, supported by an improved serving game.

Medvedev fought back from a deficit in the initial set against the challenging Moutet, securing four of the last five points to go ahead.

The pair traded break points in the following set before the Frenchman, bidding for his maiden ATP Tour victory, seized the initiative to force a decider.

Moutet defended four early opportunities in a competitive deciding set before Medvedev broke to that score to close out the victory.

Appropriately, Medvedev clinched the title with a point at the front of the court, with the Frenchman incapable to control a return after two hours and 38 minutes.

By

Michael Bender

Award-winning journalist with over a decade of experience covering global affairs and technology trends, known for investigative reporting.

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