Comeback Medvedev Secures Maiden Championship in Nearly 30 Months
Nineteen of the Russian's twenty-one titles have been won on hard courts
A revitalized Medvedev won his initial championship for 882 days with a win over opponent Moutet in the tournament title decider.
Medvedev, a ex- top-ranked player, has endured a torrid season, managing just one win at the Grand Slams and suffering a difficult moment at the New York tournament.
His varied form on the tennis tour - and issues with his serve in particular - resulted in him dropping out of the world's top 10 and eventually parting ways with long-time coach Cervara.
Now training with his coach and his other coach, the tennis star has steadily progressed in the last few weeks - peaking in a tightly fought three-set win over Frenchman Moutet.
This represents the player's maiden championship after the Rome competition and maiden on a hard surface after March of the previous year.
Success also means he has secured twenty-one titles at 21 various tournaments.
"For the first time I have attended a competition with my two daughters at once, so to get a title is particularly special," commented world number 14 the champion.
"This title is in dedication of my second daughter my daughter, because the maiden victory I won when my child Alisa was born was for her."
Medvedev, the former major winner, had been defeated in his past six championship matches, featuring in the German tournament in the past months.
His retrieving approach and recurring reactions on the tennis court had caused observers to wonder if his ability to play at the elite level was over.
But the 29-year-old has made changes in the last few weeks, attempting to come to the net and play assertively, reinforced by an enhanced serving game.
The champion came back from a break down in the first set against the difficult opponent, securing 4 of the concluding five points to take the lead.
Both players traded breaks in the following set before Moutet, attempting for his first ATP Tour championship, gained dominance to push for a final set.
Moutet defended 4 early-game chances in a tight deciding set before the Russian broke to that score to secure the win.
Suitably, he secured the win with a point at the net area, with the Frenchman unable to control a shot after two hours and 38 minutes.
