Daniel Phillips earned his first Association of Tennis Professionals singles point after winning his first-round encounter at the International Tennis Federation’s M15, in Turkey, on Wednesday.

Phillips defeated Ivan Denisov, of Russia, 6-3, 6-3. Waiting for the Bermudian in the second round is No 7 seed, Niklas Schell, from Germany.

The 20-year-old has become the fourth Bermudian to turn professional, following in the footsteps of Stephen Alger, James Collieson and Trey Mallory, his Davis Cup team-mate.

“It feels surreal to get my first ATP point out here in Turkey,” Phillips told The Royal Gazette.

“It’s been two weeks since I got here and it's been unbelievable after doing so well in the Davis Cup for my country. It feels like I’ve kept things rolling, I didn't want to stay long in Bermuda because I knew I had to be off island to get this exposure.”

To get to the first round, the Bermuda Davis Cup star survived through the qualifiers. He defeated Italian Jacopo Gianno, 6-1, 6-2 in the first round followed by a 7-6, 6-2 triumph over Aleksandar Lavrnja, from Switzerland, in the second round.

Phillips sealed his spot in the main draw by defeating Matthew Rutter, of Britain, 7-5, 6-3 in the third qualifying round.

“It felt nervous playing against the Russian guy because it was my first main draw round after qualifying,” he said.

“I served and played really well. I wasn't making a lot of errors, so I didn't give my opponents a whole lot of opportunities.

“I’m just going to keep moving forward. I’ve a second-round match to focus on and I hope to go all the way.

“I’m going to keep pushing and going forward. I always want more and I'm not satisfied yet even after attaining professional status.”