Medvedev Defeats Moutet for Almaty Crown, His First Title in Over Two Years 

Corentin Moutet broke Daniil Medvedev’s serve in the opening game of Sunday’s final. A statement of intent from the Frenchman. Daniil Medvedev rallied back with one of his most determined efforts of the season: an even bigger, more impressive statement. 

The former world No.1 made the most of his chances on Sunday in front of a packed house of 7,800 fans inside the Almaty Arena, defeating Corentin Moutet 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 for his 21st career ATP title, and his first in well over two years. 

It had been 882 since he last won a title, but Medvedev can rejoice now – he has ended the drought with a superb performance in Almaty. 

«To win feels amazing,» an elated Medvedev said. «And it means that in the most important points of the match I managed to play good. The last game was actually incredible, and I’m happy to win the title. 

«It continues my funny story of 21 titles in 21 cities, so I’m very happy about it.»

It was Moutet who took charge in the early moments. The 26-year-old broke Medvedev’s serve in the opening game, and he played brilliantly in the opening set, dazzling fans with his all-court creativity and stunning court coverage. 

But Medvedev never let it bother him. He was down 0-30, serving at 2-4, but came up with strong tennis to hold serve. In the next game he struck, capitalizing for his first break of the afternoon when a Moutet forehand caromed off the net tape and landed wide of the tram line. 

Medvedev had come to the net on 14 occasions through the first nine games, winning eight of them, but most important was the fact that his regular forays shifted the dynamic of the match so that Moutet had more to worry about than his opponent’s baseline consistency. 

«Normally we used to only see him at the net for the coin toss and the handshake,» mused Robbie Koenig, who commentated the match on Sunday for Tennis TV. 

Medvedev came to net 54 times in total, winning 32 of those points. 

From 0-30 down in the 12th game of the first set, Medvedev won three straight points to earn a set point with Moutet serving. Medvedev eventually claimed the set and a frustrated Moutet smashed his racquet in the midcourt after being outfoxed by Medvedev. 

Medvedev won 13 of 23 points at net in the set, but the last one was the perfect coup de grace, giving him the opening set, 7-5. 

With a stunning dropshot combo and a searing backhand winner, Moutet managed to start the second set with a break as well. Medvedev reclaimed the break with a drive volley winner for 3-3, but the momentum didn’t last. 

Moutet broke back immediately to regain the advantage at 4-3. The world No.41, who dropped to 0-3 lifetime in ATP finals, made the advantage stand up and he locked down the 46-minute set moments later to force a decider. 

Acts 1 and 2 of the unfolding saga were brilliant. Act 3, with tension mounting, was even better. 

Particularly the fourth game of the final set, a line-in-the-sand game in which unrelenting Medvedev earned four break points but came away empty.

After two and a half hours, nothing had been decided – three-all in the third! 

Medvedev continued to push and earned triple break point with Moutet serving at 3-4. With fans on the edge of their seats, Medvedev finally broke through on the second break point, using chess-like point construction to take the advantage, 5-3. 

His first championship point was the match in microcosm. Both players jockeying for position around the ball, each moving the other for incremental control of the rally. In the end it was Medvedev who converted, ending the title drought with his most magnificent tennis of the year.