Ferrer in seventh heaven after winning Paris title

The world number five - seeded fourth here - had lost in three previous finals in the Masters series, but came good against the world number 69 Janowicz, only 21, who ousted Andy Murray and Janko Tipsarevic during his fairytale run to the final.

Janowicz was a break up in the second set leading 2-1, but seemed to buckle in the circumstances as the experience and movement of Spain's Ferrer held sway despite the support of the Parisian crowd in trying to rouse the underdog to force a third set.

Ferrer would break back twice before holding to love leading 5-3 to conclude his business for the day. One break of serve was good enough for him to win a tight first set with Janowicz's service game finally wilting in the tenth game of the match with Ferrer's ability to apply some heat at the right time crucial to his success.

In style similar to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in victory, Ferrer collapsed on the baseline before revelling in the adulation of the fans at the Palais Omnisports in Bercy.

He has won more titles than any other player this year having moved ahead of the world number one Roger Federer's six wins. For the record, Ferrer has already picked up trophies in Valencia, Bastad, s-Hertogenbosch, Acapulco, Buenos Aires and Auckland.

Ferrer heads to London's O2 for the end-of-season eight-man ATP World Tour finals on the back of what he acknowledges has been his most fruitful in the sport despite coming up short in his quest to claim a Grand Slam. Ferrer has been drawn in Group B of the finals alongside Roger Federer, Juan Martin del Potro and Tipsarevic.

He begins his quest for back-to-back titles against Del Potro on Tuesday. But this week was perhaps more about the run of Janowicz after he showed considerable promise by ousting five players from the top 20.

"This has been a great week for me. I can't believe I was in the final of one of the best tournaments in the world," said Janowicz, who is set to move into the world's top 30 courtesy of his heroics. "He was too good for me, but I hope to be in a final again.

"Right now I am still dreaming. I will need a few days to wake up and realise what is going on. This tournament has given me a lot of confidence. I hope to go on to become a top ten player in the world."

Ferrer praised his young opponent and his "amazing" run to the final. He said: "I'd like to thank the crowd for their support today.

"I was very nervous because it was my chance to win a first Masters title, but somehow I knew it was my turn.

"To me this is a dream to win here. If I won, it's because I have a great team."