Antwerp, Belgium (SportsNetwork.com) - Seventh seed Alize Cornet was a come- from-behind opening-round winner Tuesday at the Diamond Games tennis event.
The French veteran overcame promising Swiss teen Belinda Bencic 1-6, 6-2, 7-5 on the indoor hardcourts at Sportpaleis Merksem.
Meanwhile, German Mona Barthel blitzed Belgian qualifier Klaartje Liebens 6-2, 6-0 and Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova stymied Belgian favorite Yanina Wickmayer 6-2, 6-2.
Also on Day 1, Belgian wild card Alison Van Uytvanck topped Slovak Magdalena Rybarikova 6-2, 6-3, German Annika Beck erased Italian and 2008 runner-up Karin Knapp 6-3, 6-1 and former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy took care of Czech Klara Koukalova 6-3, 6-1.
This week's top seeds are Canadian Wimbledon runner-up Genie Bouchard and German Angelique Kerber, who will meet the qualifier Schiavone in the round of 16.
The 2015 Antwerp champion will claim $113,000.
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