Resurgent Medvedev Secures Maiden Title in Over Two Years
Nineteen of Medvedev's 21 titles have been won on hard courts
A comeback the Russian player claimed his initial championship for 882 days with success over Corentin Moutet in the competition title decider.
The Russian, a ex- world number one, has endured a torrid period, managing just a single victory at the big events and undergoing a setback at the US Open.
Medvedev's unpredictability on the professional circuit - and difficulties with his service game in especial - caused him falling of the world's top 10 and finally separating with long-term mentor Cervara.
Now working with Thomas Johansson and his other coach, Medvedev has consistently advanced in the past month - culminating in a tightly fought three-set victory over Frenchman Moutet.
It is his maiden title following the Italian tournament and initial on a hard court from spring of that year.
The win also signifies Medvedev has achieved twenty-one championships at twenty-one distinct events.
"This marks the first occasion I'm at a competition with my children at once, so to win a title is particularly special," said tennis professional Medvedev.
"This championship is in dedication of my younger daughter Victoria, because the first title I got when my older daughter my daughter was born was for her."
The athlete, the past champion, had lost his past six championship matches, comprising in Halle previously this season.
The player's defensive approach and recurring reactions on the playing surface had led observers to question if his ability to compete at the elite level was concluded.
Yet the 29-year-old has altered his approach in the last few weeks, attempting to approach the net and play assertively, reinforced by an improved serve.
Medvedev came back from a break down in the first set against the tricky Moutet, winning four of the final five exchanges to gain the advantage.
Both players exchanged breaks in the following set before the challenger, bidding for his maiden professional victory, gained dominance to force a third set.
The opponent defended 4 early-game opportunities in a competitive deciding set before the Russian won the break to that score to secure the win.
Fittingly, the winner clinched the title with a rally at the net, with Moutet incapable to handle a volley after over two and a half hours.