Former US Open champion Dominic Thiem has needed to battle two Aussie opponents within the first spherical of qualifying for the Brisbane Worldwide, with a lethal snake forcing the suspension of play.
Key factors:
- Play was briefly halted when followers on the Brisbane Worldwide noticed a snake on the court docket on Saturday
- A snake catcher caught the lethal 50cm japanese brown snake, permitting play to renew
- Austria’s Dominic Thiem went on to beat Australian teenager James McCabe in three units
The previous world quantity three was taking up Australian teenager James McCabe on Saturday, the Austrian veteran saving three match factors earlier than prevailing 2-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-4.
The 30-year-old Thiem was beneath the pump within the second set when followers courtside noticed the snake.
Safety workers have been known as in, however the umpire needed to briefly cease play when it slithered onto the court docket.
A snake catcher ultimately captured the reptile — a lethal 50cm japanese brown — and eliminated it from the venue, permitting play to renew.
“I actually love animals, particularly unique ones,” Thiem stated after the match.
“However they stated it was a very toxic snake and it was near the ball youngsters, so it was a very harmful state of affairs.
“It is one thing that has by no means occurred to me and it is one thing I am going to positively always remember.”
Thiem had regarded down and out at 3-5, 0-40 on McCabe’s serve.
However he saved all three match factors and compelled a tie-break earlier than ultimately prevailing to maneuver inside one victory of the principle draw.
“He [McCabe] was taking part in very effectively. He was serving extraordinarily effectively I assumed … it was a great win in the long run,” Thiem stated.
Thiem reached the ultimate of the Australian Open in 2020 when he pushed champion Novak Djokovic to 5 units, and received the US Open later that yr.
The Austrian additionally downed native hope Nick Kyrgios within the third spherical at Melbourne Park in 2021, however his profession went into free-fall as a result of a difficult wrist damage and flagging confidence.
Thiem has solely reached the second spherical at a grand slam as soon as since then, making it via the primary spherical at Flushing Meadows this yr.
His rating at one level sank exterior the highest 300, however he has climbed again to world quantity 98.
Thiem will depend on late withdrawals to keep away from qualifying for the Australian Open, having missed the cut-off for the principle draw by one place.
AAP
