Youzhny was the third ranked player in men’s singles qualifying and looked to live up to the billing by dominating the early stages of the match at the Crandon Park Tennis Centre.

The Russian convincingly won the first set 6-1, but Becker battled back into the match by winning the second 6-3.

Momentum remained with the 35-year-old German in the deciding set, with Becker winning it 6-2.

Becker will now face France's Adrian Mannarino in the first round of the men's draw, which gets underway tomorrow.

Barbados' Darian King and Britain's Aljaž Bedene were among the top qualifying seeds to secure passage into the first round.

King benefited from a walkover as the United States' Reilly Opelka withdrew from competition, while Slovenian-born Bedene beat Germany's Tobias Kamke 6-2, 6-3.

The tournament top seeds will enter the competition in the second round, including the Swiss duo Stan Wawrinka and Roger Federer.

The women’s first round began with China’s Duan Yingying beating Germany’s Laura Siegemund in straight sets, 7-6, 6-3.

She will face another German player in the second round, with top seed Angelique Kerber lying in wait.

Romania’s Simon Halep will begin her campaign with a match against Naomi Osaka, with the Japanese player winning 6-2, 6-3 against Kristína Kučová of Slovakia to set up a second round match against the third seed.

First round action will continue tomorrow.

Defending men's champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia is absent with an elbow injury, while last year's women's champion Victoria Azárenka is on maternity leave.

Britain's double Olympic champion and world number one Sir Andy Murray also misses out with an elbow injury.