The 29-year-old world number 51 beat the world number 103 in their only previous match in Sydney two years ago.

He wrapped up another win in an hour and 21 minutes to ensure three British players in the main draw.

Kyle Edmund faces Washington finalist Nick Kyrgios while Cameron Norrie will take on Hungary's Marton Fucsovics.

However, there was disappointment for Heather Watson as she lost her final qualifier at the WTA Rogers Cup in Toronto, falling 6-4 6-2 to Polish teenager Iga Swiatek.

Thirteenth seed Johanna Konta is the only Briton in the main draw and will play Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska in the first round.