Resurgent Daniil Medvedev Claims Maiden Trophy in 882 Days
19 of Daniil Medvedev's 21 victories have been achieved on hardcourt
A comeback Medvedev claimed his initial title for over two years with victory over opponent Moutet in the Almaty Open title decider.
Medvedev, a former world number one, has had a difficult season, achieving just one win at the Grand Slams and experiencing a setback at the US Open.
Medvedev's inconsistency on the professional circuit - and difficulties with his service game in specific - led to him falling of the world's top 10 and ultimately splitting with long-time coach Gilles Cervara.
Currently collaborating with his coach and his other coach, he has steadily progressed in the last few weeks - culminating in a tightly fought competitive triumph over opponent Moutet.
It is the player's first title after the Rome competition and maiden on a hardcourt after March of the previous year.
The win also indicates Medvedev has achieved 21 championships at 21 distinct tournaments.
"For the first time I'm at a competition with my children at once, so to win a championship is really nice," stated ranked player Daniil Medvedev.
"This title is in dedication of my second daughter her name, because the initial championship I got when my child her name was born was for her."
The athlete, the 2021 US Open champion, had lost his previous six finals, including in Halle in the past months.
His retrieving play style and regular emotional displays on the playing surface had led some to wonder if his skill to compete at the highest level was finished.
However the 29-year-old has altered his approach in the past month, striving to come to the net and perform assertively, backed up by an improved serving game.
Medvedev recovered from a disadvantage in the first set against the challenging opponent, winning 4 of the final five games to gain the advantage.
Both players exchanged breaks in the middle set before the Frenchman, striving for his maiden ATP Tour championship, gained dominance to push for a final set.
Moutet saved four early-game opportunities in a competitive third set before the Russian broke to 15 to close out the victory.
Appropriately, Medvedev earned the win with a rally at the front of the court, with Moutet unable to control a return after two hours and 38 minutes.
