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Federer breaks grand slam record as Djokovic marches on

May 30, 2012 -- Updated 1638 GMT (0038 HKT)
Roger Federer can now boast the most grand slam victories of all time after his 234th win at the French Open
Roger Federer can now boast the most grand slam victories of all time after his 234th win at the French Open
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Roger Federer breaks record for all-time grand slam victories with latest win at French Open
  • World No. 3 defeats Adrian Ungur of Romania to usurp Jimmy Connors landmark
  • Serbia's Novak Djokovic extends winning run at major championships to 23
  • Djokovic beats Blaz Kavcic of Slovenia 6-0 6-4 6-4 to make it into round three

(CNN) -- Roger Federer recorded the 234th grand slam win of his career Wednesday to break Jimmy Connors' record for most victories in major championships.

But the 16-time grand slam winner was made to work hard in his eventual 6-3 6-2 6-7 6-3 defeat of Romania's Adrian Ungur, as he inched closer to a final four showdown with world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.

The Swiss is playing in his 50th grand slam tournament and despite a wobble during a third set tiebreak, he did enough to set up a third round clash with either Slovakia's Martin Klizan or Nicolas Mahut of France.

"I reached the tie-breaker and instead of being aggressive, I let him show me what he could do," Federer told the ATP Tour's official website. "He played two beautiful shots, and then I started not playing very well.

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"Even though I won the first set 6-3 with a solid break, I knew that if he was to get in the match, it would be more difficult, and he had many opportunities during the second set.

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"In the third set I made wrong decisions. He got in the match, and he played a very good third set. Then he relaxed a bit at the beginning of the fourth set, which was quite crucial."

Federer took his all-time record in major championships to 234 wins and 35 defeats and the 30-year-old says he is enjoying the confidence his experience brings.

He added: "I expect myself to win and I usually manage to do it. It's not like that at the start of your career when you think you are good enough but you are not that good yet."

Federer is on course for a semifinal clash with the world's top ranked player after Djokovic eased into round three with a 6-0 6-4 6-4 win over Blaz Kavcic of Slovenia.

It was Djokovic's 23rd consecutive victory at major championships as he strives to complete a career slam.

Should the 25-year-old win at Roland Garros he will become the first man in 43 years to hold all four major titles at the same time.

"He was defending really well in the second and third sets, especially in the second," Djokovic told the ATP Tour website.

"I gave him the opportunity to come back to the match after a perfect first set, first seven games. Of course I didn't underestimate my opponent today.

"I expected him to fight. I expected him to come back. He didn't have anything to lose, and he showed his quality and it was a really, really great second and third set.

"I'm happy with the game overall. I think everything was working really well. I'm feeling better and better every match."

Elsewhere, Tomas Berdych, the No. 7 seed looked in good touch as he dispatched France's Michael Llodra 6-2 6-3 6-3.

The No. 9 seed Juan Martin del Potro booked a place in round three with a 6-7 7-6 6-4, 6-4 win over France's Edouard Roger-Vasselin.

The 2009 U.S. Open champion, from Argentina, will now face Croatian Marin Cilic after the No. 21 seed defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain 7-6 6-2 6-3.

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