Roger Federer tied Jimmy Connors’ Open era record of 233 Grand Slam match wins after beating Tobias Kamke 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 in the first round of the French Open on Monday.
Federer, the record 16-time Grand Slam title winner, proved far too strong for his German opponent as he begins his quest for a first major title in two years in what is his 50th consecutive appearance in grand slams.
His straightforward victory over Kamke means the Swiss meastro is now 233-35 in career grand slams (.869 winning percentage) compared to Connors record of 233-49.
Federer, who turned 30 last month, also chalked up his 50th win over the famous red clay courts of Roland Garros against 12 losses at having made his debut as a wildcard in 1999 where he lost to Australia’s Pat Rafter in the first round.
Since that time, he has missed just one Grand Slam — the 1999 US Open where he failed to qualify. “I get a great deal of pleasure playing here. When I play well, the numbers come with me. It’s great to have played and won here so often. I hope it continues,” said Federer.
The Swiss star aiming to become the oldest player to win a grand slam title since Andre Agassi captured the Australian Open in 2003 at the age of 32, will next face either David Nalbandian of Argentina or Adrian Ungur of Romania.
Earlier, 15th seed Feliciano Lopez weas forced to retire because of a side muscle injury after losing the first five games of his first-round match against Florent Serra of France.
“In the beginning, I felt it was nothing really serious, but (the) day after, I couldn’t play almost,” Lopez said. “I tried to rest during the weekend just to try to play today, but it was impossible.”
Australia’s former world No1 Lleyton Hewitt also bowed as the two-time Grand Slam winner beaten in four sets by unheralded Slovenian Blaz Kavcic 6-7 (2/7), 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 3-6 defeat in 3hr 50min.
The result was hardly a surprise given Hewitt, 31, had barely a fortnight practice having only just recovered from surgery to insert two screws and a metal plate into his foot in his fight against arthritis.
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