Nineteen of Daniil Medvedev's 21 championships have been earned on hardcourt
A resurgent the Russian player claimed his maiden title for nearly 30 months with victory over Corentin Moutet in the Almaty Open championship match.
The Russian, a former world number one, has had a torrid season, managing just one match at the Grand Slams and experiencing a setback at the US Open.
The player's varied form on the professional circuit - and difficulties with his service game in particular - led to him exiting of the world's top 10 and eventually separating with long-time mentor Gilles Cervara.
Now working with Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke, he has gradually progressed in the last few weeks - peaking in a closely contested 7-5 4-6 6-3 win over challenger Moutet.
This marks his maiden trophy since the Italian tournament and maiden on a hard court after that period of that year.
Victory also means Medvedev has achieved twenty-one victories at 21 different tournaments.
"For the first time I am participating in a event with my two daughters simultaneously, so to win a championship is particularly special," commented ranked player Daniil Medvedev.
"This victory is in dedication of my child my daughter, because the first title I won when my older daughter her name was delivered was for her."
The tennis star, the past champion, had lost his previous six finals, including in that event in the past months.
Medvedev's retrieving strategy and recurring emotional displays on the tennis court had led some to doubt if his capacity to compete at the highest level was concluded.
However the 29-year-old has implemented adjustments in the last few weeks, striving to come to the net and compete aggressively, backed up by an better service.
He came back from a deficit in the initial set against the tricky Frenchman, securing four of the final five exchanges to go ahead.
The pair swapped break points in the following set before the challenger, attempting for his first ATP Tour championship, seized the initiative to create a final set.
The opponent rescued 4 initial chances in a tight third set before Medvedev broke to 15 to close out the victory.
Suitably, the winner secured the title with a rally at the net, with Moutet incapable to handle a volley after two hours and 38 minutes.
