Tennis:Roger Federer described as "pretty incredible" his achievement in equalling Jimmy Connors' record of grand slam match wins at the French Open today. The 16-time slam champion's 6-2 7-5 6-3 first-round victory over Tobias Kamke was his 233rd in main draw matches - the same mark Connors reached at the US Open in 1992.
Federer also revealed Connors’ record of 109 tournament titles is one he has in his sights, although he is a long way off at the moment on 74.
Federer said: “I think that’s a big one, because that was longevity. Jimmy is obviously one of the greats of all time, and was around for 20 years. I love the big tournaments. I have been so successful for such a long time and to already tie that record, at 30 years old, is pretty incredible, so I’m very happy.”
He said: “Is it possible for me to equal Connors’ record? One hundred and ten - that would be a round figure. That would be incredible. But that’s a dream.”
Federer was not at his best today and had to fight back from a break down in the second set, but he was content with the performance as a first step.
He said: “They’re never easy, those first rounds. But overall I’m happy I’m through. Sometimes you have to come through when you’re not playing your very best. I missed a few too many shots, but I was always in the lead and could afford to do those.”
In the second round Federer will face Romania's Adrian Ungur, who defeated former Wimbledon finalist David Nalbandian6-3 5-7 6-4 7-5 today.
World number one Novak Djokovicbegan his campaign for a fourth successive grand slam title with a 7-6 (7/3) 6-3 6-1 victory over Italy's Potito Starace.
He, too, was shaky in the early stages and cut a frustrated figure for the first set and a half as he struggled to impose himself on world number 97 Starace but, after he finally did break in the fifth game of the second set, the end was fairly swift in coming.
Djokovic said: “I didn’t expect an easy match, that’s for sure. He is a specialist on clay. I have seen him in the past couple of years. He gave a lot of trouble to the top players on this surface.
“So I tried to be aggressive on the court and take my chances. At the start, I was still trying to find the rhythm and movement on the court. And he obviously played a very good first set. But when I look at it now, after the match is over, maybe it was good for me to have the tough first set.”
Seventh seed Tomas Berdych, a dark horse for the title, began his campaign with a straightforward 6-3 6-4 6-1 victory over Dudi Selawhile fellow big hitter Milos Raonic, seeded 19, was equally impressive in seeing off Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo6-4 6-2 6-2.
Tenth seed John Isner, who has been having a terrific season, eased past Rogerio Dutra Silvaof Brazil 6-3 6-4 6-4 but 15th seed Feliciano Lopezlost the first five games to France's Florent Serrabefore pulling out with an abdominal injury.
Another first-round loser was Lleyton Hewitt, although it was more remarkable that the Australian was playing in the first place.
Hewitt, now ranked down at 176th in the world, had radical surgery in February to fuse the big toe joint in his left foot that had given him constant pain, and was playing his first match since. He showed his trademark battling qualities against Slovenian Blaz Kavcic, who now faces Djokovic, before going down 7-6 (7/2) 6-3 6-7 (4/7) 6-3.
Hewitt said: “Obviously moving is going to be totally different, but at least it was nice not to have pain. The last couple of years, every practice, every match has been painful.”
The 31-year-old has already been given a wild card for the AEGON Championships at Queen’s Club in two weeks and must be a virtual shoo-in for the same at the Olympics.
There were three eventful five-set matches today, with 31st seed Kevin Andersonwinning his clash against Rui Machado,which had been stopped at 7-7 in the fifth last night, 7-6 (7/2) 6-7 (6/8) 4-6 6-1 11-9.
Unpredictable Latvian Ernests Gulbisbattled back from two sets and 5-1 down to level his match against Mikhail Kukushkinonly to lose 6-4 7-6 (7/4) 5-7 2-6 6-4, while French veteran Arnaud Clementwas involved in a titanic struggle with Alex Bogomolov Jr.
Clement held match point on the Russian’s serve at 6-2 3-6 4-6 7-6 (7/2) 5-4 when Bogomolov Jr was forced to retire because of severe cramp.
Australian Bernard Tomic, the only teenager in the men's field, won his first main-draw match at Roland Garros with a 7-6 (7/5) 6-3 6-3 victory over Andreas Haider-Maurerto keep on track for a third-round meeting with fourth seed Andy Murray.
On a good day for the seeds, Andreas Seppi, Marcel Granollers, Viktor Troickiand Philipp Kohlschreiberalso made it through.
Li Nabegan the defence of the women's title with an easy win, defeating Romanian Sorana Cirstea6-2 6-1 in 58 minutes.
China’s Li, who became the first player from an Asian nation to take a Grand Slam singles title when she won at Roland Garros last year, was never challenged by the 43rd-ranked Cirstea.
In front of stands that were barely half-full on Philippe Chatrier Court, Li, who played with her right knee strapped up, allowed the Romanian few chances and few points.
Li said she was still upset about losing to Russian Maria Sharapova in a dramatic and rain-interrupted Italian Open final eight days ago.
“After that final I told everyone ‘don’t talk to me about tennis for three days’,” the world number seven said.
Victoria Azarenkanarrowly escaped becoming the first women's top seed to lose in the first round when she recovered from losing the opening set to beat Italian Alberta Brianti6-7 6-4 6-2.
Azarenka, 10 years younger and 104 ranking places higher than her opponent, was in patchy form, giving away breaks with double faults and errors and screaming in anguish at her own mistakes.
After losing the first-set tiebreak 6-8, the Belarussian world number one found herself five points from defeat as she was 0-4 and break point down in the second set.
However, just when it seemed that Brianti was on the verge of winning her first match at Roland Garros in five appearances, Azarenka put the Italian under pressure in a long fifth game.
The Australian Open champion clawed her way back, then broke to love in the eighth game of the third set to take victory in two hours 16 minutes.
Women's 11th seed Vera Zvonarevaof Russia pulled out of the tournament with a right shoulder injury before her first-round match.
“Unfortunately my shoulder injury has not healed so I have to withdraw. It’s not good enough to compete. I had to make this choice,” she told reporters.
Russian number two Zvonareva, however, could not yet assess her chances of playing in the Olympic Games.
“I have a doctor's appointment later today. I can’t comment at the moment (on the Olympics) as I have not yet seen a specialist,” she added.
Zvonareva, who has been struggling with shoulder problems for the past year, also had to withdraw from the Rome tournament earlier this month.