Former US Open tennis champion Dominic Thiem has had to battle two Aussie opponents in the first round of qualifying for the Brisbane International, with a deadly snake forcing the suspension of play.
The former world No.3 was taking on Australian youngster James McCabe on Saturday, the Austrian veteran saving three match points before prevailing 2-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-4.
The 30-year-old Thiem was under the pump in the second set when fans courtside spotted a snake.
Security staff were called in, but the umpire had to temporarily stop play when the snake slithered on to the court.
A snake catcher eventually captured the reptile - a deadly 50cm eastern brown - and removed it from the venue, allowing play to resume.