Serena Williams was on court for just 30 minutes as she opened her Grand Slam bid in comfortable fashion at the US Open.

The world number one, bidding to become the first player since Steffi Graf in 1988 to win all four grand slams in a calendar year, eased past Russian Vitalia Diatchenko in the first round.

Williams led 6-0 2-0 when Diatchenko retired, having struggled throughout with injury.

Only nerves were likely to trouble Williams against the Russian, but it was a foot injury for the latter that meant the American was completely untroubled.

The 21-time grand slam winner Williams finished with 12 winners and four unforced errors, losing just five points in her victory.

Williams will face Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens in the second round.

If Williams had early nerves at Flushing Meadows, Diatchenko never gave them time to surface.

The 25-year-old looked troubled by an injury from the outset and Williams broke for 2-0, with her opponent battling to serve and struggling to deal with her power.

After 12 minutes, Williams was 5-0 up and she lost just five points in the opening set.

Diatchenko called for a trainer to get treatment on her foot before going on to lose the first eight points of the second set.

The trainer came to the court once more and a retirement followed as Williams made it 22 straight wins at grand slams this year.