Daniil Medvedev has put an end to a lengthy title drought by clinching his first trophy in nearly three years at the Almaty Open, a significant achievement for the former world No. 1. In a fiercely contested final, Medvedev faced off against France’s Corentin Moutet, who was eager to secure his inaugural ATP title.
The match showcased contrasting styles: Medvedev’s powerful baseline game against Moutet’s agile and crafty play. Their dynamic was on full display, captivating the audience as the rallying exchanges often sent fans to the edge of their seats. Moutet utilized his court speed and resilience to challenge Medvedev, pushing the Russian to adapt his strategy by incorporating net play.
After a grueling two hours and twenty-nine minutes, Medvedev emerged victorious, relying on his formidable groundstrokes to claim the match. Post-match, Medvedev expressed mixed feelings about his performance, stating, “I was not super happy with how I played in some moments of the match, but to win feels amazing. In the most important points, I played good.” He also highlighted the unique nature of his achievement, noting, “It continues my funny story of 21 titles in 21 different cities.”
This victory not only marks a significant milestone for Medvedev, elevating him to 12th in the Race to Turin rankings, but it also bolsters his ambitions for qualifications for the ATP Finals next month. He now trails Lorenzo Musetti, who sits at the eighth and final qualifying position, by 875 points.
On the other hand, Moutet, in pursuit of his first title after reaching the final for the third time, will see his efforts rewarded with a rise in the world rankings to 36. The French player demonstrated remarkable skill throughout the tournament, having not lost a set leading up to the final, and is poised for a bright future in the ATP circuit.
