PARIS —  Rafael Nadal has broken the French Open men's record for consecutive wins when he beat Marcos Daniel of Brazil 7-5, 6-4, 6-3 in the first round.

Nadal won his 29th straight match at Roland Garros on Monday, topping the mark held by Bjorn Borg, who won 28 straight from 1978-81. Nadal also equaled the overall record, matching the 29 straight Chris Evert won between 1974-75 and 1979-81. Evert did not play at the French Open from 1976-78.

Nadal was broken three times by Daniel, but the top-seeded Spaniard remained perfect on the French Open's red clay as he tries to become the first player to win five straight titles at Roland Garros.

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