Roger Federer's straight sets first round win over Santiago Giraldo saw him equal Andre Agassi's record for Grand Slam wins.
Federer eased past Giraldo 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 to move up alongside Agassi with 224 wins, just nine behind Jimmy Connors' all-time record of 233. Barring career-ending injury, Federer looks certain to move past that mark at some point in the next year.
He looked happy to be back on Arthur Ashe stadium on Monday night even if it was a fairly mixed performance against Giraldo. Federer produced the usual patches of brilliance blended in with some mediocre tennis as he stormed out to big leads before doing his level best to let the Columbian back in the match.
“I enjoyed it a lot. I’m happy the US Open is up and running,” Federer said afterwards. “I don’t think I’ve ever played my best in the first round but it’s important to come through them and come up with a good feeling.”
“It was quite up and down, getting used to the conditions,” said Federer, who struck more errors than winners. “He did well playing on this court for the first time and it was a pleasure playing against him.”
He next plays Israeli's Dudi Sela who came back from two sets to love down to beat Thomaz Bellucci 4-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-0.
