McKenzie is the top seed for the men’s open singles and enters the event in scintillating form after claiming the New Year’s Open at Tea Tree Gully in South Australia last month.

The 25-year-old, who is ranked No.44 in Australia and No.1108 in the world, was also a finalist at the Boroondara Australian Money Tournament early last month and won the Vic Metro AMT Series at Boroondara in April.

But McKenzie said he was at a disadvantage against Margaret Court Cup winner Culph and semi-finalist Shanahan, both grass specialists.

“I played Jade Culph about a year ago and he beat me so he’s a good player,” McKenzie said yesterday.

“I grew up playing against Mark and he’s a good player as well.

“There are some good local players and there’s some other good young guys to watch out for.”

McKenzie has a round 1 bye and will play the winner of today’s Raj Reddy-Josh Graetz match, while Culph will play a qualifier in round 1 and sixth seed Shanahan will face the winner of the James Palmer v qualifier match.

McKenzie is on a different side of the draw to Culph and Shanahan, meaning he wouldn’t have to play them until the final, if everything goes to plan.

McKenzie said he was feeling the pressure of being the top seed.

“I guess if you’re seeded you have to try to live up to the expectations,” he said.

“I’ll just see how I go.

“I’ve just come off playing two weeks in Adelaide.

“I played three tournaments there but that was on hardcourt so I’m just trying to get used to the grass again.

“I went quite well and I felt good.”

McKenzie warmed up with an opening-round victory in the open doubles yesterday.

Seventh seeds McKenzie and Valoja Illangasinghe, who are likely to meet second seeds and Margaret Court Cup doubles winners Culph and Shanahan in the quarter-finals, cruised past Mahmoud Elkirdi and Daniel Klein 6-0 6-0.

“It was a good warm-up for the singles,” McKenzie said.

“The courts are playing nicely.”

Illangasinghe, who hasn’t entered the singles, said he always enjoyed playing at Wodonga Tennis Centre.

“I usually come during the Labor Day tournament and enjoy it,” he said.