Gerulaitis Out of French Open

American Vitas Gerulaitis was knocked out of the French Open tennis tournament in the first round today by Boris (Boom Boom) Becker of West Germany, 6-3, 6-7, 6-1, 6-1. Jimmy Connors overcame an error-filled start to eliminate West Germany’s Wolfgang Popp 6-4, 6-1, 7-5 and also reach the second round.

Defending champion Martina Navratilova cruised into the third round of the women’s singles, crushing veteran Virginia Wade of Britain 6-3, 6-0, while No. 2 seed Chris Evert Lloyd turned back 18-year-old Australian Janine Thompson 6-1, 6-4.