Dominic Theim’s 2024 ATP Tour season got off to a dramatic start Saturday at the Brisbane International presented by Evie.
The former World No. 3 saved three match points to forge a remarkable 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 triumph against home favourite James McCabe in the first round of qualifying at the hard-court ATP 250. The World No. 272 McCabe looked set for a shock victory when he held three match points at 5-3, 40/0 in the second set, but Thiem rallied superbly to ensure he stayed alive on his Brisbane debut.
That drama followed a unique interruption in play on the Queensland Tennis Centre’s Show Court 2. An eastern brown snake slithered onto court at the end of the first set, and the players waited while a snake catcher was called to remove it.
“I really love animals, especially exotic ones,” Thiem later told brisbaneinternational.com.au. “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.”
Thiem finished the two-hour, 53-minute clash having struck 37 winners to McCabe’s 30 at the Queensland Tennis Centre, which is this year hosting ATP 250 action for the first time since 2019. The Austrian, who is No. 98 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, will take on No. 135 Giulio Zeppieri in the final round of qualifying in Brisbane.
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