Nineteen of the Russian's twenty-one championships have been won on hardcourt
A comeback the Russian player claimed his first championship for over two years with a win over Corentin Moutet in the Almaty Open final.
The Russian, a former world number one, has had a challenging period, winning just one win at the Grand Slams and undergoing a difficult moment at the New York tournament.
His varied form on the ATP Tour - and issues with his service game in specific - led to him exiting of the elite rankings and ultimately parting ways with long-term trainer his previous coach.
Presently working with his coach and his other coach, he has gradually progressed in the last few weeks - climaxing in a tightly fought three-set triumph over opponent Moutet.
This represents the player's maiden trophy following the Italian tournament and initial on a hard surface from that period of 2023.
Victory also means he has achieved 21 titles at 21 different events.
"It's the first time I have attended a tournament with my two daughters together, so to get a championship is really nice," said world number 14 the champion.
"This title is in dedication of my second daughter her name, because the first title I won when my child Alisa was born was for her."
The tennis star, the past champion, had failed in his previous six title deciders, including in that event earlier this year.
His defensive play style and recurring reactions on the playing surface had prompted commentators to question if his skill to perform at the elite level was finished.
Yet the athlete has altered his approach in the past month, striving to advance forward and perform assertively, supported by an enhanced service.
The champion came back from a deficit in the first set against the tricky Frenchman, taking four of the final five exchanges to gain the advantage.
The pair traded break points in the middle set before the Frenchman, attempting for his maiden professional championship, seized the initiative to create a third set.
He rescued four early break points in a close final set before the champion broke to 15 to serve for the match.
Fittingly, he earned the title with a rally at the net, with Moutet unable to manage a shot after two hours and 38 minutes.
