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Vitas Gerulaitis (July 26,1954-September 18,1994)
was a professional tennis player from the United
States. He was born on July 26 1954 in Brooklyn,
New York and grew up in Howard Beach, Queens.

Gerulaitis' biggest success was winning the men's
singles title at the Australian Open in 1977. He
defeated John Lloyd (tennis player)|John Lloyd in
the final in five sets 6-3, 7-6, 5-7, 3-6, 6-2.

In 1979, Gerulaitis lost in men's singles finals
at the U.S. Open (tennis)|US Open to fellow New
Yorker John McEnroe in straight sets 7-5, 6-3,
6-3.  

Gerulaitis reached his third Grand Slam
(tennis)|Grand Slam singles final in 1980 when he
lost in the final of the French Open to Björn
Borg in straight sets 6-4, 6-1, 6-2.     

Gerulaitis also won the men's doubles title at
Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon in 1975. He was
a singles semi-finalist at Wimbledon in both 1977
and 1978. In 1977, he lost an epic five-set
Wimbledon semi-final to Borg 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 3-6,
8-6
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/wimbledon_h
istory/3742097.stm.

During his career, Gerulaitis won 24 top-level
singles titles and 8 doubles titles. His
career-high singles ranking was World No. 3 in
1978.

Gerulaitis died in a tragic accident on September
18, 1994, at age 40. While visiting a friend's
home in Southampton (village), New
York|Southampton, Long Island, a malfunction in
the air-conditioning system caused odorless
poisonous carbon monoxide gas to seep into the
guesthouse where Gerulaitis was sleeping, causing
his death. 


== External Links ==

*http://www.atptennis.com/en/players/playerprofile
s/default2.asp?playernumber=G008 Official ATP
Profile