Serena Williams began her final push towards a calendar year Grand Slam

Serena Williams makes successful start to Calendar Grand Slam bid as Vitalia Diatchenko retires after just 30 minutes in US Open first round

• Vitalia Diatchenko retired at 6-0, 2-0 down to Serena Williams

• The US Open first-round match lasted just 30 minutes in New York

• Russian Diatchenko was struggling with a foot injury

• Williams is bidding to complete the Calendar Grand Slam 

By Reuters Reporter

Serena Williams began her final push towards a calendar year Grand Slam in devastating fashion on Monday by pounding Vitalia Diatchenko 6-0, 2-0 before the injured Russian waved the white flag and retired.

Following a Broadway style opening ceremony complete with orchestra and choir, Williams stepped onto centre court under a spotlight to loud applause from the New York crowd just seven matches from her goal.

The six-time champion would exit Arthur Ashe Stadium just 30 minutes later to more applause and her target reduced to six more wins to join the exclusive club of calendar Grand Slam winners Maureen Connolly, Margaret Court and Steffi Graf.

 Serena Williams waves to the crowd after she wins her US Open first-round match by retirement

 Williams (left) and Vitalia Diatchenko chat by the net after the Russian retired during the second set

 Williams fires down a serve during her brief appearance on Monday on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court

Standing across from the world number one for the first time, Diatchenko appeared frozen in fear as Williams won 32 points to just five by the Russian.

In just seven minutes, the 21-times grand slam singles champion and defending U.S. Open title holder was 3-0 up against her 86th ranked opponent.

Down 5-0 in the first set, a shaken Diatchenko called for the trainer to look at her left foot and after Williams wrapped up the opening set the Russian left the court for more treatment.

With Williams taking a 2-0 lead in the second, Diatchenko signalled she had suffered enough and after a brief chat with the chair umpire walked over to shake her opponent's hand.

 Williams gestures as she gets her bid for a Calendar Grand Slam under way at Flushing Meadows

 Diatchenko prepares to hit a return during the match - but she struggled throughout with a foot injury

A general view of the Arthur Ashe Stadium court as Williams hits a serve against her Russian opponent