Revitalized Medvedev Claims First Title in 882 Days
19 of the Russian's 21 titles have been achieved on hard courts
A revitalized Medvedev won his first championship for over two years with a win over opponent Moutet in the tournament title decider.
The Russian, a former world number one, has had a torrid season, managing just one match at the big events and undergoing a meltdown at the New York tournament.
The player's unpredictability on the ATP Tour - and issues with his serve in especial - resulted in him falling of the world's top 10 and eventually parting ways with long-term mentor his previous coach.
Presently working with Johansson and Rohan Goetzke, the tennis star has gradually advanced in the last few weeks - culminating in a hard-fought 7-5 4-6 6-3 win over challenger Moutet.
This represents the player's maiden championship since the Rome competition and initial on a hard surface from that period of the previous year.
Victory also means Medvedev has won twenty-one victories at 21 different competitions.
"It's the first time I am participating in a competition with my children simultaneously, so to win a championship is particularly special," stated world number 14 the champion.
"This title is in tribute of my second daughter my daughter, because the first title I achieved when my older daughter Alisa was delivered was for her."
Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion, had lost his last six title deciders, comprising in that event previously this season.
Medvedev's defensive play style and recurring outbursts on the playing surface had prompted some to wonder if his ability to compete at the top level was concluded.
However the athlete has implemented adjustments in the last few weeks, making an effort to approach the net and compete positively, reinforced by an better serve.
The champion fought back from a break down in the first set against the difficult Frenchman, securing 4 of the concluding five games to take the lead.
Both players swapped service breaks in the middle set before Moutet, bidding for his maiden ATP Tour championship, seized the initiative to force a decider.
He saved four early-game break points in a close third set before the Russian secured a break to that score to close out the victory.
Fittingly, the winner earned victory with a point at the net area, with the Frenchman failing to manage a return after two hours and 38 minutes.
