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Vilas Captures Open Title From Connors, 2-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-0

By NEIL AMDUR

It was a farewell to remember at Forest Hills yesterday, as Guillermo Vilas beat Jimmy Connors in four thrilling sets for the men's singles title at the United States Open tennis championships.

The scores were 2-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-0, and the 3-hour-16 minute match can stand by itself alongside the other treasures that graced the center court at the West Side Tennis Club.

In taking the $33,000 first prize from a total purse of $462,420, the 25-year-old Vilas extended his amazing summer winning streaks to 39 matches and 46 on clay or Har-Tu surfaces. He also appeared to assure being named the world's No. 1 player for the year on the men's pro tour. 

A More Disciplined Vilas

Vilas did so the hard way, dethroning a determined defending champion who felt that he owned a piece of the concrete horseshoe, and continually coming back just when it seemed as if he might be counted out.

But then this was a tougher, more disciplined player than the cerebral artist who was knocked out in straight sets by Connors in the semifinals here last year.

"His biggest improvement was his mental attitude," said Ion Tiriac, the intense Rumanian, who sat at courtside in a black leather jacket and counseled his charge during the match. "He can concentrate. He believes in himself. He didn't choke."

Vilas lost the first set and was a point from 1-5 in the third and down 2 set points serving at 4-5, 15-40. Not until he nailed the 25-year-old Connors


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[[caption]] Tom Shropshire, Arthur Ashe, Malcolm Corrin [[/caption]]

Welcome to Forest Hills from Arthur Asche [[Ashe]]
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