Federer Sets Open Era Record With 234th Grand Slam Win
May 30, 2012 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg
World number two-ranked Roger Federer dropped a set before earning his record-breaking 234th Grand Slam match victory to reach the third round of the 2102 French Open. Federer eliminated 92nd-ranked Adrian Ungur of Romania, 6-3, 6-2, 6-7(6), 6-3 Wednesday to break a tie with Jimmy Connors for most career wins at major tournaments in the Open era, which began in 1968. Federer, a 16-time Grand Slam champion, is now 234-35 in tennis’ top four tournaments, with an .870 winning percentage. Ungur was making his debut in a Grand Slam event.
"I reached the tie-breaker and instead of being aggressive, I let him show me what he could do," said Federer. "He played two beautiful shots, and then I started not playing very well."
Federer, who won the 2009 Roland Garros title by defeating Robin Soderling, hit 15 aces and 50 winners. He converted four of his 12 break point opportunities. Federer won his 20th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title at the Mutua Madrid Open earlier this month.
