Mitchell has been handed the No 3 seed for the ATP Futures tournament starting on Tuesday at Beaton Park.

In January, Mitchell made the most of an injury to fellow Aussie Matthew Ebden, filling in to play the mixed doubles leg with Casey Dellacqua. The Aussie duo were beaten 8-6 in a “super set” against Poland’s Lucie Safarova, world No 9 and Jerzy Janowicz.

Mitchell, who made the Wimbledon boys singles final in 2010, has also made the main draw at the 2012 and 2013 Australian Open.

Now 22, Mitchell bowed out in the first round of both grand slam tournaments to John Isner and James Duckworth. American Connor Smith, a 24-year-old right-hander with a double-handed backhand, will also be among the Wollongong International favourites. Qualifying for the event is underway on Saturday, with Australian Darren Polkinghorne among those expected to make it through to the main draw.

Hoping to return to the grand slam event, Mitchell bowed out with a straight sets quarter-final loss to Great Britain’s Brydan Klein in an ATP Challenger event in Traralgon last week.

Klein – who has not confirmed for this year’s event – won the first of two tournaments in Wollongong last year, overcoming US No 1 seed Jarmere Jenkins along the way.

However, Klein withdrew with injury in the second round of week two against eventual finalist, New Zealander Jose Statham.

After a week of inclement weather, organisers are hopeful the qualifying will begin on Saturday without delay.

“Qualifying will continue until Monday when the 8 qualifiers will progress to the main draw commencing on Tuesday,” organiser Wendy Saville said.  

“The second week of the pro tour will commence with qualifying on Saturday (November 14).

“The main draw No 1 and 2 seeds are from USA, with Ben Mitchell coming in at No 3 and Maverick Banes from the Gold Coast at No 6.”