Play was halted until a snake catcher arrived and managed to tease it into a bag.

Dominic Thiem had a brush with one of Australia's most venomous snakes during a qualifying match at the Brisbane International.

The former world No.3 was a set down to 20-year-old Australian James McCabe in a first round qualifying match when fans courtside spotted the snake.

Security personnel quickly arrived, but the umpire had to stop play as the snake slithered on to the court to the shock of the players and fans.

"I really love animals, especially exotic ones,” Thiem said. "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.”

Eastern browns are capable of delivering a potent bite and their venom can result in progressive paralysis and uncontrollable bleeding, according to the website of the Australian Museum.

Australia is home to 20 of the world's 25 most venomous, but deaths from bites are rare. Thiem eventually won the match to move within one victory of the main draw.