Top-ranked Serena Williams launched her quest to win the US Open and complete a calendar grand slam by beating 86th-ranked Russian Vitalia Diatchenko.
The three-time defending champion won 6-0 2-0 when Diatchenko retired after just 30 minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday with a left foot injury.
The 33-year-old’s 29th consecutive slam match triumph moved Williams into a second-round match against Dutch qualifier Kiki Bertens, who eliminated Croatian Mirjana Lucic-Baroni 3-6 6-4 6-2.
If Williams gets through that clash, she will face an American in the third round – either 19th seed Madison Keys or Coco Vandeweghe.