PARIS: Jerzy Janowicz is a self-confessed baby, yet he continued to be a thorn on the side of higher ranked opponents as he reached the Paris Masters final with a 6-4, 7-5 win over local favourite Gilles Simon yesterday.
Polish qualifier Janowicz, who beat US Open champion Andy Murray in the third round, used his big serve and his magic touch to see off Simon and set up today’s meeting with Spanish fourth seed David Ferrer.
Ferrer, who is looking to clinch his maiden Masters title, dismissed France’s Michael Llodra 7-5, 6-3 in the other semi-final after saving 10 break points in the opening set.
Wildcard Llodra, who had won his 43 service games in the tournament heading into yesterday’s clash, took a medical timeout to have his back massaged while trailing 3-0 in the second set.
Ferrer wrapped it up with a crosscourt forehand winner after one hour 50 minutes.
Earlier, world number 69 Janowicz claimed his fifth top 20 scalp in Bercy.
The achievement has yet to sink in.
“For me this is still like I cannot believe this actually. How is this possible?,” Janowicz told a news conference.
“I came here just to play qualifications and suddenly after few days I’m in the final. I don’t know how I did this but tomorrow the final is waiting for me. Wow.”
Janowicz, who did not face a single break point, broke the 20th ranked Simon in the fifth game with a booming service return winner and comfortably held serve to claim the opening set with a forehand winner.
The Pole, who missed only three first serves in the first set, was less dominant in the second set. Simon, however, fell 0-40 down in the 11th game and Janowicz sealed the decisive break with a dropshot winner.Reuters
