Securing a match win at the Masters tournament – the tier of ATP events below the four Grand Slams – is another landmark for Fearnley.

This time last year, the Scot was ranked outside of the world’s top 500 and still studying at Texas Christian University in the United States.

After a meteoric rise since turning professional in June, Fearnley could break into the top 70 after Miami.

He could also become the British number two at the expense of former Wimbledon semi-finalist Cameron Norrie, who is now ranked 81st.

Fearnley’s next challenge at the hard-court event is a second-round match against German top seed Alexander Zverev.

It is a rematch of their Australian Open fourth-round meeting, which three-time Grand Slam finalist Zverev won 6-3 6-4 6-4 on his way to the Melbourne final.

Norrie, 29, faces China’s Bu Yunchaokete, who is ranked 69th.