Every time Roger Federer steps onto a tennis court, a record seems to be broken. After cruising past Germany's Tobias Kamke 6-2, 7-5, 6-3, the Swiss master equalled Jimmy Connors' record of most victories in grand slam matches.
His straight-set victory took him to 233 major wins, tying the record held by the American Connors.
"I think that's a big one (the record)," Federer said after the match. 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 am pretty happy."
"You realize you have been playing for quite a long time. When I started, I loved playing against those famous players I used to see on TV. Now I'm playing against younger players, a new generation.
"It's great I didn't suffer that many injuries over these years and I always had fun playing tennis."
Federer is a long way away from equalling Connor's record of 109 overall titles, but the 16-time Grand Slam champion said it would be great to have that record in the bag as well.
"Is it possible for me to equal Connors' record? One hundred and ten, that would be a round figure and that would be incredible. But that's a dream."
It might have looked like a walk in the park, but Federer said he was just happy to advance. "They are never easy, those first rounds. I missed a few too many shots, but I was in the lead so I could afford a few of those," said Federer who next faces Adrian Ungur of Romania in round 2.
World number one Novak Djokovic overcame a slow start to defeat Italian Potito Starace 7-6 (7-3), 6-3, 6-1. "Potito is a specialist on this surface," Djokovic said. But I played really well considering it was the first match at this year's Roland Garros."
Djokovic next takes on Blaz Kavic after the Slovenian defeated Australian veteran Lleyton Hewitt 7-6 (7-2), 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3.
Women's world number one Victoria Azarenka was just a few points away from a shock first-round exit, but the Belarussian fought back to beat Alberta Brianti 6-7 (6-8), 6-4, 6-2.
Azarenka was a set and 0-4 down before finding her feet to see off her Italian opponent, ranked 105 in the world.
"Bad days happen. Unfortunately, today I made way more mistakes than I usually do, but it happens sometimes," Azarenka told reporters. "I have to give her a lot of credit. She played really well and she pushed me to dig deep today."
Germany's Mona Barthel, seeded 30th, was sent packing by little-known American teenager Lauren Davis. The 18-year old Florida native cruised to a 6-6, 6-1 victory, her first win in Grand Slams.
Another American Bethanie Mattek-Sands knocked out Germany's 12th seed Sabine Lisicki 6-4, 6-3.
Defending champion Li Na, Jelena Jankovic and Agnieszka Radwanska had no problems, each coming unscathed in their first round matches.
Russian Vera Zvonareva, however, wasn't so lucky, pulling out of the tournament after suffering a shoulder injury.
