NY Times · Sep 1, 2015
Williams Begins Calendar Slam Push in Ruthless Style
NEW YORK — 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 overwhelmed Russian waved the white flag and retired.
Following a Broadway style opening ceremony complete with orchestra and choir, Williams stepped onto center 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.