In an era where most, if not all, of the Masters 1000 events are contested by the Big Four, the final of the 2012 Paris Masters would certainly become a memorable event, with a qualifier and perennial world number five battling it out for the title.
Polish qualifier Jerzy Janowicz became the first qualifier since 2004 to reach the Paris Masters final on Saturday after beating France’s Gilles Simon in the semifinal. Up next for him is Spain’s David Ferrer who’s contesting his first career Masters 1000 title. Ferrer defeated Michael Llodra in the other semifinal.
Janowicz, ranked 69th, beat five top 20 players to make it this far in the tournament including world number three Andy Murray.
“How is this possible?” Janowicz said.
“I came here just to play qualifications, and suddenly after a few days I’m in the final. I don’t know how did I this, but tomorrow the final is waiting for me. Wow,” he added.
After winning his second match point and hugging Simon at the net, Janowicz let out a scream and dropped to the court as he tries to comprehend the victory.
“I didn’t know what I was supposed to think, and I had a thousand different kinds of feelings,” Janowicz said.
“When I had match point today, I felt a little bit strange. I had (goose bumps),” he added.
The Polish tennis sensation is expected to break in the world’s top 30 by reaching this far in the tournament and his achievements have gathered media mileage in his home country. He’s optimistic that he can now get “really good sponsors” to continue his journey in the ATP World TOur.
“The street next to my house actually is completely blocked. There is like about nine or 10 cars, TVs. There is no way to get to my house right now,” he said. “So I think after this final I have a chance to find some really good sponsors and I will not have to worry about the money,” he said.
