Story highlights
Roger Federer wins his 233rd grand slam match to equal Jimmy Connors' record
World No. 3 beats Germany's Tobias Kamke 6-2 7-5 6-3 in French Open first round
It was also Federer's 50th victory at Roland Garros in his 50th major championship
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic also enjoys win as he goes for fourth straight grand slam
Like so many of his opening round matches at major championships, Roger Federer’s win over Tobias Kamke was comprehensive, but it secured the 16-time grand slam champion another record.
The 30-year-old’s 6-2 7-5 6-3 win over the German was his 233rd at major championships and drew him level with Jimmy Connors all-time record.
It also represented the world No. 3’s 50th career victory at Roland Garros, in his 50th grand slam event.
“It’s a big record, because that was longevity,” Federer told the ATP Tour’s official website. “Jimmy is obviously one of the greats of all time, and was around for 20 years.
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“I love the big tournaments. I have been so successful for such a long time and to already tie that record, which is 30 years old is pretty incredible, so I’m very happy.”
Federer can overtake Connors should he defeat Romania’s Adrian Ungur in round two but still has a long way to go to eclipse the amount of Tour titles the American racked up.
“He had 109 career victories, I’m at 74 now,” Federer added. “Is it possible for me to equal Connors’ titles? 110, that would be a round figure. That would be incredible. But that’s a dream. I go year after year, and we’ll see.”
World no. 1 Novak Djokovic got his quest for a fourth straight grand slam title off to a successful start as he defeated Italy’s Potito Starace 7-6 6-3 6-1.
Should the Serbian triumph in Paris, he would complete a career slam and become the first man in 43 years to hold all four major titles.
But the 25-year-old has never made a final in Paris and struggled at times in his opening match before booking a second round clash against Blaz Kavcic of Slovenia.
“Pressure is always present, and the way I look at it, it is a privilege and, you know, it’s a challenge,” he told reporters. “I believe every professional athlete feels the pressure.
“So you need to try to understand and learn how to deal with it, and if you feel pressure, that means that you’re doing something that is right.
“As I said, I’ll try to go step by step. It’s really too early to talk about eventually getting my hands on the trophy, but it’s definitely a goal.”
Elsewhere, seventh seed Tomas Berdych, from the Czech Republic, beat Israel’s Dudi Sela 6-3 6-4 6-1 while tenth seed John Isner, from America, eased past Brazil’s Rogerio Dutra Silva 6-3 6-4 6-4.
There were also wins for Canada’s Milos Raonic, Kevin Anderson, from South Africa, Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber as well as Spanish pair Feliciano Lopez and Marcel Granollers.
