Farmers Classic 2012: Underdog Ricardas Berankis Cannot Be Stopped

Ricardas Berankis has no business being in the ATP Farmers Classic 2012 championship. The Lithuanian came into this tournament without very much success at all in his professional career. He’s currently ranked No. 141 in the world, according to ATP rankings.

The 28-man tournament has provided some unexpected results so far. Nothing is more unexpected than the emergence of Berankis. The unseeded qualifier has shocked the field by reaching the final. His path to the championship included him knocking off the No. 7, 4 and 6 seeds.

In his semifinal victory, he decisively defeated sixth-seeded Marinko Matosevic, 7-5, 6-1, in only 70 minutes of play.

He’s currently preparing for Sunday’s final as if he is the man to beat.

Despite the daunting task ahead, the 22-year-old Berankis doesn’t seem to be fazed.

He will need to defeat one more seeded opponent, as he will face Sam Querrey, the No. 2 seed and 53rd-ranked tennis player in the world.

Querrey, the winner of the tournament in 2009 and ’10, has won 12 straight Farmers Classic matches heading into his final matchup with Berankis. He missed the 2011 tournament due to an injury.

Interestingly, Berankis may have something working in his favor. Querrey is also competing in the Farmers Classic doubles bracket. If Querrey continues to progress through the doubles bracket, he may not be completely rested and focused enough to beat the surging Berankis.

He doesn’t seem to care about rankings, predictions or about what should be happening on the court. The only thing he’s doing right now is winning.

This youngster is the epitome of an underdog story.

It truly doesn’t get any better than this. Some of the greatest matches, stories and even careers have begun in similar fashion. Today’s championship looks to be one of those special moments.

If you didn’t have a reason to watch the Farmers Classic final today amidst the glitz and glamour of the 2012 Olympics, you just found one.

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