PARIS (AP) — Roger Federer tied Jimmy Connors’ Open era record of 233 Grand Slam match wins by beating Tobias Kamke of Germany 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 in the first round of the French Open on Monday.
Federer, who owns a record 16 major championships, is 233-35 at tennis’ top four tournaments, a .869 winning percentage. Connors was 233-49.
Kamke fell to 6-10 at Grand Slams, never advancing past the third round.
Federer turned 30 last August and is trying to become the first man that old to win a Grand Slam tournament since Andre Agassi was 32 at the 2003 Australian Open. Federer has gone more than two years without a major title — his longest drought since winning his first at Wimbledon in 2003.