Switzerland’s Roger Federer thumbs up after defeating Slovakia’s Lukas Lacko in the first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France, Sunday, May 25, 2014. AP
PARIS — Fourth seed Roger Federer clinched a record-equalling 59th win at the French Open on Sunday as he breezed past Slovakia’s Lukas Lacko.
The 2009 champion eased to a 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 win against the world number 88 to kick-off his 16th straight Roland Garros with a comfortable victory.
His 59 career wins at the tournament have taken him level with eight-time champion Rafael Nadal.
Federer will face either Portugal’s Gastao Elias or Diego Sebastian Schwartzman of Argentina for a place in the last 32.
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