19 of the Russian's twenty-one titles have been won on hard surfaces
A revitalized the Russian player won his first championship for nearly 30 months with a win over Frenchman Moutet in the Almaty Open championship match.
The athlete, a former world number one, has endured a difficult season, winning just one win at the big events and suffering a meltdown at the US Open.
His inconsistency on the ATP Tour - and struggles with his serve in particular - caused him exiting of the elite rankings and finally parting ways with long-term mentor his previous coach.
Presently training with his coach and his other coach, the tennis star has consistently advanced in the last few weeks - culminating in a hard-fought competitive triumph over challenger Moutet.
This represents his first championship since the Italian tournament and maiden on a hard surface since spring of that year.
Success also signifies he has won twenty-one championships at twenty-one distinct events.
"This marks the first occasion I am participating in a tournament with my two daughters at once, so to secure a trophy is particularly special," said ranked player the champion.
"This victory is in dedication of my child her name, because the maiden victory I achieved when my child her name was born was for her."
The tennis star, the former major winner, had been defeated in his past six title deciders, including in Halle earlier this year.
The player's retrieving play style and recurring reactions on the playing surface had caused some to question if his skill to compete at the top level was finished.
But the 29-year-old has made changes in the past month, attempting to advance forward and compete aggressively, backed up by an improved serve.
The champion came back from a disadvantage in the initial set against the challenging opponent, securing four of the final five games to go ahead.
Both players exchanged breaks in the middle set before the challenger, bidding for his initial tour championship, gained dominance to create a third set.
The opponent rescued 4 early break points in a tight deciding set before the Russian broke to fifteen to serve for the match.
Suitably, he clinched the win with a rally at the net area, with his opponent failing to handle a shot after a lengthy match.
