Former US Open champion Dominic Thiem 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, with the Austrian losing the first set 2-6. But the 30-year-old’s ultimately successful fightback was put on hold when courtside fans spotted a snake. Security staff were called in and the umpire had to temporarily stop play when the snake slithered on to Show Court 2. A snake catcher eventually captured the reptile – a 50cm eastern brown snake – and removed it from the venue, allowing play to resume. Deadly snake interrupts Dominic Thiem match at Brisbane International
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