Product Details

• Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Standing Room Only
• DVD Release Date: October 31, 2006
• Run Time: 180 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000ICLR8O
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,099 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

There have been many legendary encounters during the illustrious history of Wimbledon, none more so than the men¹s semi-final match between Bjorn Borg and Vitas Gerulaitis in 1977.

Seeded number 8, Vitas Gerulaitis was up against his long time friend and practice partner, Bjorn Borg, seeded number 2 and also the defending champion.

In 1976, at the age of 20, Borg won his first of five Championships, without losing a single set. In 1977, he had been taken the full distance as early as the 2nd round by Mark Edmondson.

Reaching the semi-final, Borg took the advantage by breaking service in the opening games, forcing himself ahead of Gerulaitis, who then responded by drawing level. Tied at 2 sets all, Gerulaitis broke service in the fifth game, to lead no longer than one game as Borg displayed his champion¹s caliber when he broke service and then went on to win the fifth game set 8-6.

Borg¹s defeat of Gerulaitis was considered to be the outstanding match of the Championship. It was an enthralling contest of the highest quality, played at a lighterning pace and it held the rapt attention of the Centre Court for three hours and remained in the memory of many, long after its conclusion.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great match to study, May 9, 2007

By 

Mark Showalter (Gainesville, Florida United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wimbledon Classic Match: Borg vs. Gerulaitis 1977 (DVD)

This match is one of my favorites to study for many resons. Borg's ability to hold out on the baseline on grass was unbelievable when you

consider the number of attacking players around at the time. In this case,

Vitas would be the classic attacking player against a great baseliner. Even though Borg did work on and develope a fairly reliable net game, he rarely if ever looked comfortable up there. If anything, I think his fitness was the main reason he was able to hold out for so long on a surface that didn't really suit his game. Being able to hold out for 5 sets & play at the top or near top of his game was certainly a reason for his sucess. He showed this clearly in the last set of this match, and it's for that reason I feel he won. There were few if any low points in the entire match and the competion from both sides was fierce. Plus, there are a number of great and just plain fun points, to say nothinig of one of the most funny moments when Borg, attempting to run around his backhand to hit a forehand return of serve, actually runs into Vitas' Kick delivery. However, you can, I think, see even here one of the reasons why McEnroe was able to finally defeat him. If you watch the rallies, you often see Borg bobbing up and back during a baseline rally, rarely moving forward to take a ball early unless he was moving in to the net. Watch Vitas and you'll see him forced back, but often he's moving forward to hit the ball even if he's not on his way into the net. Still amazing to watch Borg develope into a 5-time Champion. And what might have happened had he worked on taking more balls earlier from the baseline rather than constantly pulling back? This isn't a match to be missed and I consider it one of the best examples of the Baseliner VS the Attacking style.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gerulaitus vs. Borg, January 30, 2007

By 

R. Schultz (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wimbledon Classic Match: Borg vs. Gerulaitis 1977 (DVD)

First-rate tennis match, presented with near ideal picture and sound. This was the match of Gerulaitis' life. And, if anyone still wonders why Borg is considered one of the tennis greats, this is a good place to start. There are not many matches worth studying, but this is one of them. The unfolding of the play--the drama--remains gripping, even though we already know the outcome. A must for players and fans alike.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic, December 4, 2010

By 

M. Kardos "donger" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wimbledon Classic Match: Borg vs. Gerulaitis 1977 (DVD)

Any tennis lover would be pleased with this classic match. It arrived in perfect condition, in a timely manner.