Dominic Thiem, of Austria. File
| Photo Credit: AP
Former U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem had a brush with one among Australia’s most venomous snakes throughout a qualifying match at the Brisbane International on Saturday.
The former world No.three was a set right down to 20-year-old Australian James McCabe in a first spherical qualifying match when followers courtside noticed the snake.
Security personnel rapidly arrived, however the umpire needed to cease play because the snake slithered on to the courtroom to the shock of the gamers and followers.
“I really love animals, especially exotic ones,” Thiem mentioned. “But they said it was a really poisonous snake and it was close to the ballkids, so it was a really dangerous situation.
“It’s something that has never happened to me and is something I’ll definitely never forget.”
The snake — recognized as a 50 centimeter jap brown snake and one among Australia’s most dangerous reptiles —was quickly safely eliminated permitting play to renew.
But Thiem was not but out of hazard as he needed to save three match factors earlier than leveling the match by profitable the second set tiebreak. The 30-year-old then went on to clinch the deciding set for a 2-6. 7-6 (4), 6-Four win.
The Austrian, at present ranked No.98 after a number of years with a troublesome wrist harm, will face both Italian Giulio Zeppieri or one other Australian, Omar Jasika, within the remaining qualifying spherical tomorrow.
Thiem reached the ultimate of the Australian Open in 2020 when he pushed champion Novak Djokovic to 5 units, and gained the US Open later that 12 months.