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Sunday, October 11, 2026
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Comeback Medvedev Claims First Trophy in Over Two Years

Tennis Action Photo

Nineteen of the Russian's twenty-one victories have been won on hard surfaces

A revitalized Medvedev won his first championship for 882 days with a win over opponent Moutet in the Almaty Open final.

Medvedev, a former top-ranked player, has had a torrid season, managing just one win at the Grand Slams and suffering a difficult moment at the American major.

The player's unpredictability on the ATP Tour - and difficulties with his service game in specific - resulted in him falling of the world's top 10 and eventually splitting with former mentor Gilles Cervara.

Currently training with Johansson and his other coach, he has consistently advanced in the last few weeks - peaking in a hard-fought three-set victory over Frenchman Moutet.

It is the player's maiden championship following the Italian tournament and first on a hardcourt since that period of 2023.

Victory also indicates he has achieved twenty-one victories at twenty-one distinct tournaments.

"This marks the first occasion I'm at a event with my children at once, so to win a title is particularly special," said world number 14 Daniil Medvedev.

"This victory is in honour of my younger daughter Victoria, because the maiden victory I won when my child Alisa was delivered was for her."

The tennis star, the past champion, had lost his previous six championship matches, including in the German tournament previously this season.

Medvedev's counter-punching strategy and frequent outbursts on the tennis court had caused some to question if his capacity to play at the top level was over.

However the athlete has implemented adjustments in recent weeks, making an effort to approach the net and compete positively, reinforced by an better service.

Medvedev recovered from a deficit in the opening set against the challenging Moutet, taking 4 of the concluding five games to go ahead.

The pair swapped breaks in the second set before the Frenchman, striving for his maiden professional victory, gained dominance to create a decider.

He rescued 4 early-game opportunities in a close third set before the Russian won the break to 15 to secure the win.

Fittingly, Medvedev earned the title with a rally at the front of the court, with the Frenchman incapable to control a shot after two hours and 38 minutes.

By

Jeremy Fox

A seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience covering international relations and cultural exchanges across Europe and Asia.

Journal Global Blog

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