Before the start of this year's Wimbledon, only the more hardcore of tennis fans would have been aware of a player called Jerzy Janowicz.
But over the past 10 days, the big-serving Pole has established himself as a credible force that could pose a threat to Andy Murray's expected progression into his second successive Wimbledon final.
It has been a startling emergence for a 22-year-old who began 2012 ranked in 221st place in the ATP rankings.
His gradual rise up the list was to be expected as he furthered his experience on the Challenger Tour, while he also highlighted his potential with a five-set win over Ernest Gulbis at last year's Wimbledon.
But few, if anyone, could have predicted Janowicz's arrival on the big stage at last year's Paris Masters.
After making his way through qualifying and defeating Marin Cilic, Janowicz made the headlines back in his homeland when he came back from a set down to beat Andy Murray.
That victory sparked a run that would take him to the final, where he was ousted by David Ferrer, but the Lodz resident had skyrocketed into the world's top 32.
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Janowicz came into Wimbledon with a modest record in 2013, winning 15 of his 27 matches, with a quarter-final appearance at the Rome Masters is most noteworthy achievement to date.
His preparation for Wimbledon could not have gone much worse, suffering a disappointing three-set loss to world number 240 Mirza Basic in Halle.
But after being drawn against Great Britain youngster Kyle Edmund in the opening round at SW19, his performances have improved by the match.
After conceding just eight games to Edmund, he was 6-3 5-2 ahead against Radek Stepanek, before his opponent withdraw through injury.
His next match - against number 15 seed Nicolas Almagro on Centre Court - has proven to be the break-out display for the right-hander, and one that got supporters and pundits alike talking up the Pole's chances.
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Almagro is one of the best returners in the game, but Janowicz allowed the Spaniard just 19 points on his serve throughout their three-set match, dishing up 30 aces in the process.
Janowicz was instantly installed as fourth favourite to lift the SW19 trophy, but he was taken to five sets by left-hander Jurgen Melzer in the last 16.
His maiden Grand Slam quarter-final saw him matched with experienced compatriot Lukas Kubot.
The duo are close friends, but Janowicz showed little sympathy in dispatching his Davis Cup partner out of the tournament.
All eyes now focus on his showdown with Murray. The Scot has already witnessed first-hand that Janowicz has the power to disrupt his rhythm, but will the Kim Tiilikainen-trained player have what it takes to take three sets off the world number two in a Grand Slam semi-final?
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Over his previous five matches, it has become apparent that Janowicz is a big-game player. He can serve, he has the power, and he has the movement that a player of 6'8" shouldn't possess.
His agility around the court is startling at times, and it has resulted in many pundits tipping the Pole to win a Grand Slam in the future.
Whether that will be at this tournament, only time will tell, but while some will expect this to be a gimme for the British number one, in truth this will almost certainly be his toughest match of the tournament.
Murray had an excellent record against the big-serving Andy Roddick and Ivo Karlovic, but that was because he could combat the flaws in their game.
We have yet to see any weaknesses in Janowicz's game, and that will be the key to tomorrow's match. If Murray can expose Janowicz's serve, then the Scot will be through to his second Wimbledon final. If the Pole can maintain the fluidity on his serve that he has shown throughout the tournament, then this semi-final is far from a foregone conclusion.
Darren Plant
