Struggling Fearnley 'digs deep' for maiden Masters win

Britain's Jacob Fearnley earned the maiden ATP Masters win of his career after battling through physical issues in the Miami Open first round.

The 23-year-old struggled with a leg injury in the second set before recovering to win 7-6 (8-6) 2-6 6-4 against France's Benjamin Bonzi.

Fearnley needed a medical timeout before the deciding set, laying out on the court for treatment in the left hip area.

While he lost serve in the opening game, the world number 83 recovered the break instantly as more aggressive returning and going for his shots paid off.

"It was extremely difficult, I was feeling my left leg twitching a bit but I had to dig deep," Fearnley, who came through qualifying to make his Miami debut, told Sky Sports.

"I wanted no part of a rally so I was either missing it or hitting a winner. I had to go for it."

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.