Britain’s Jack Draper was 4-1 down in the first set but found his rhythm to beat the tricky American 7-5 6-4 in 26C conditions in California.
Jenson Brooksby is now ranked 937 in the world as he makes his way back from a 13-month ban for missing three doping tests, and a lengthy shoulder injury.
The two embraced at the net after the match, with Draper writing “good to have a great player back” on the camera lens.
Draper, seeded 13th, will face former champion Taylor Fritz next after the American beat Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo 4-6 6-3 6-1. Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury will join Wayne Rooney as two of England’s co-managers for Soccer Aid 2025.
Former England striker Rooney will also come out of retirement to play in the annual charity match against a World XI on Sunday, 15 June.
This year’s fundraiser for Unicef returns to Old Trafford, home of Rooney’s former team Manchester United.
Last year’s game took place at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge and raised more than £15m for charity.
Rooney will play alongside former team-mates Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, while Joe Hart, Steph Houghton and Toni Duggan will all make their Soccer Aid debuts.
Singer Louis Tomlinson will also return along with the likes of Sam Quek, Paddy McGuinness, Tom Grennan and Sir Mo Farah. Former Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci and Denmark forward Nadia Nadim will make their Soccer Aid debuts as part of the World XI, with the rest of the squad to be confirmed. Since the first match in 2006, Soccer Aid has raised more than £106m for charity.
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