ALMATY, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Daniil Medvedev ended an 882-day title drought on Sunday, defeating eighth seed Corentin Moutet 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 to win the 2025 Almaty Open and claim his 21st ATP Tour crown.
Second seed Medvedev, a former world No. 1, last lifted a trophy in May 2023 at the Italian Open and has since fallen short in six finals, including Grand Slam showdowns at the U.S. and Australian Opens.
The match opened with high drama. Medvedev, 29, secured a late break to take the first set 7-5, but Moutet responded sharply, taking the second 6-4 by playing with precision and minimal errors.
In the final set Medvedev regained control, serving three aces and closing out 6-3 as Moutet's drop shots and finesse couldn't match the Russian's depth and consistency.
Speaking afterwards, Medvedev said that although his game "was not perfect in all moments," he delivered when it counted most. He dedicated the title to his younger daughter Victoria, marking the first time both his daughters were present at a tournament.
For Moutet, the Frenchman who had entered the final seeking his first ATP title, the result still marks his best run of the season and likely a sharp rise in his ranking.
The win also boosts Medvedev's hopes of qualifying for the year-end ATP Finals, as he climbs in the live race standings following a solid late-season surge. ■
