Revitalized Daniil Medvedev Claims First Title in 882 Days
19 of Daniil Medvedev's 21 titles have been achieved on hardcourt
A resurgent Daniil Medvedev won his initial championship for over two years with success over Corentin Moutet in the tournament title decider.
The Russian, a former number one, has endured a torrid period, managing just one match at the Grand Slams and suffering a setback at the US Open.
His unpredictability on the professional circuit - and difficulties with his serve in especial - resulted in him exiting of the elite rankings and finally splitting with long-time trainer Gilles Cervara.
Now working with Thomas Johansson and his other coach, the tennis star has consistently improved in the last few weeks - peaking in a tightly fought three-set win over challenger Corentin Moutet.
This marks his maiden trophy after the Rome competition and first on a hard court after that period of the previous year.
Victory also means the Russian has won twenty-one titles at 21 different competitions.
"This marks the first occasion I'm at a event with my children simultaneously, so to get a championship is particularly special," stated world number 14 the champion.
"This victory is in dedication of my younger daughter her name, because the first title I got when my older daughter my daughter was born was for her."
Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion, had lost his previous six finals, including in the German tournament earlier this year.
The player's defensive play style and frequent outbursts on court had caused some to doubt if his ability to play at the top level was concluded.
But the 29-year-old has altered his approach in the past month, making an effort to approach the net and play assertively, supported by an improved serving game.
Medvedev recovered from a deficit in the initial set against the difficult opponent, taking 4 of the final five games to gain the advantage.
The competitors swapped break points in the following set before the Frenchman, attempting for his initial ATP Tour championship, seized the initiative to create a third set.
The opponent saved 4 early break points in a close third set before the champion secured a break to that score to serve for the match.
Fittingly, he clinched the title with a rally at the net, with Moutet incapable to handle a volley after two hours and 38 minutes.