Nineteen of Daniil Medvedev's 21 championships have been won on hardcourt
A resurgent Daniil Medvedev claimed his initial title for over two years with victory over Corentin Moutet in the tournament final.
Medvedev, a former world number one, has experienced a challenging year, managing just a single victory at the big events and suffering a difficult moment at the American major.
The player's unpredictability on the tennis tour - and struggles with his serving in particular - led to him exiting of the world's top 10 and eventually splitting with former mentor Cervara.
Currently training with Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke, Medvedev has steadily progressed in the past month - peaking in a closely contested three-set win over challenger Moutet.
This marks Medvedev's initial title following the Italian tournament and maiden on a hard surface since spring of 2023.
Victory also indicates the Russian has secured 21 championships at 21 distinct events.
"It's the first time I am participating in a tournament with my children at once, so to win a title is particularly special," stated tennis professional the champion.
"This victory is in honour of my younger daughter my daughter, because the initial championship I achieved when my first daughter her name was delivered was for her."
The athlete, the 2021 US Open champion, had failed in his previous six finals, featuring in that event earlier this year.
Medvedev's defensive approach and frequent outbursts on court had caused some to question if his skill to perform at the elite level was concluded.
Yet the athlete has made changes in the past month, striving to advance forward and play aggressively, reinforced by an enhanced serving game.
He came back from a break down in the opening set against the challenging Frenchman, securing 4 of the concluding five exchanges to go ahead.
Both players traded service breaks in the following set before Moutet, bidding for his initial professional victory, took control to push for a final set.
The opponent rescued 4 initial opportunities in a close third set before the Russian secured a break to that score to close out the victory.
Fittingly, the winner secured the title with a rally at the net area, with his opponent unable to handle a volley after over two and a half hours.
