Comeback Medvedev Secures First Championship in Over Two Years

A comeback Medvedev won his first championship for 882 days with a win over Frenchman Moutet in the competition final.

The athlete, a former number one, has had a difficult year, achieving just one match at the big events and experiencing a meltdown at the American major.

Medvedev's inconsistency on the professional circuit - and issues with his serve in particular - resulted in him dropping out of the elite rankings and ultimately parting ways with former mentor his previous coach.

Currently working with his coach and Goetzke, Medvedev has steadily progressed in the past month - climaxing in a closely contested three-set triumph over opponent Corentin Moutet.

It is Medvedev's initial title following the Rome competition and initial on a hardcourt after March of the previous year.

The win also indicates Medvedev has won twenty-one championships at 21 distinct competitions.

"It's the first time I'm at a tournament with my both daughters at once, so to secure a trophy is particularly special," commented world number 14 Medvedev.

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

The tennis star, the former major winner, had failed in his past six championship matches, featuring in Halle previously this season.

Medvedev's defensive strategy and recurring emotional displays on the playing surface had caused some to wonder if his ability to play at the top level was concluded.

However the 29-year-old has altered his approach in the past month, making an effort to come to the net and play assertively, backed up by an better service.

The champion recovered from a disadvantage in the initial set against the challenging opponent, securing four of the final five exchanges to take the lead.

The pair exchanged break points in the following set before Moutet, bidding for his initial professional championship, gained dominance to force a third set.

He defended 4 early-game chances in a competitive final set before the Russian secured a break to fifteen to secure the win.

Suitably, Medvedev earned the title with a rally at the net, with Moutet unable to manage a return after a lengthy match.