ONE of the world's most venomous snakes gatecrashed former US Open champion Dominic Thiem's clash at the Brisbane International.
The former world No3 was a set down to 20-year-old Australian James McCabe in a first round qualifying match when fans courtside spotted the deadly snake.
Security personnel quickly arrived, but the umpire had to stop play as the snake slithered on to the court.
The beast was later identified as a 50cm Eastern Brown Snake - one of Australia's most deadly reptiles - and was soon safely removed allowing play to resume.
The snake was caught by local expert Lucas Perrett.
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Speaking to 9News Queensland, Perrett later revealed: "My wife is a massive tennis fan, we actually have tickets for next Saturday and Sunday.
"And when I texted her going 'I'm going to pick up a snake from the Brisbane International' she went 'no way, get me an autograph'."
The venom of an Eastern Brown Snake contains a deadly cocktail of poisons, making it the second most dangerous snake in the world.
The most powerful is a neurotoxin, which paralyses the nerves of the heart, lungs and diaphragm, suffocating the victim.
If untreated, victims can die within 30 minutes from cardiac arrest.
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Fatal snake bites have become relatively rare in Australia since the introduction of a national anti-venom program, with two people dying per year on average.
Toxicology expert Dr Brian Fry said in 2017: "It's arguably the quickest killing venom in the world. No other snake in the world has killed people so quickly, so regularly."
After the match, Thiem said: "I really love animals, especially exotic ones.
"But they said it was a really poisonous snake and it was close to the ball kids, so it was a really dangerous situation.
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"It's something that has never happened to me and is something I'll definitely never forget."
Following the match's resumption Thiem had to save three match points before levelling the contest by winning the second set tie-break.
The 30-year-old went on to clinch the deciding set for a 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 win.
The Austrian is currently ranked No98 having struggled upon his return from a brutal wrist injury.
He will face either Italian Giulio Zeppieri or another Australian, Omar Jasika, in the final qualifying round on Sunday.
The popular Brisbane International event has returned to the tennis calendar this year in its previous format.
Rafael Nadal will make his long-awaited return in the main draw, while Andy Murray is set to take on Grigor Dimitrov in round one.
Naomi Osaka headlines the women's event and will take to the court for the first time since giving birth earlier this year.
