'Hazardous' bushfire smoke hits Australian Open build-up

Toxic smoke from raging bushfires hit Australian Open build up Tuesday as a qualifier retired with breathing difficulties and Eugenie Bouchard needed medical attention, while or players struggled in soaring pollution. Air quality in Melbourne, habitually ranked as one of world's most liveable cities, was among worst on planet and described as "hazardous" by city authorities. Qualifying for first Grand Slam of year started late due to conditions and Slovenian Dalila Jakupovic did t cope well, bringing an early end to her match against Switzerland's Stefanie Voegele after a coughing fit.

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"I was really scared that I would collapse. That's why I went onto floor because I couldn't walk anymore," she later told reporters, with searing heat t helping.

"It's t healthy for us," she ded. 

"I was surprised, I thought we would t be playing today but we don't have much choice." 

Former Australian Open semi-finalist Bouchard also h problems and needed a medical time-out after reportedly complaining of a sore chest. She recovered to win third set and match. Elsewhere in Melbourne, Maria Sharapova took to court as scheduled against Germany's Laura Siegemund at Kooyong Classic exhibition tournament. Both players agreed to call an early halt to high-intensity contest at 7-6 (7/4), 5-5 in German's favour after more than two hours, with Russian star saying she could feel "a bit of a cough coming out through end of second set". deterioration in conditions followed months of dely bushfires that have engulfed huge swas of Australian countryside, leaving at least 27 people de and more than 2,000 homes destroyed.

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'Stay indoors'

Melbourne's city government urged residents to "stay indoors, keep windows and doors shut, and keep pets inside" on Twitter. Tennis officials have said re is little chance of Australian Open being delayed, but that air quality is being monitored and umpires can halt matches to protect players' health. Practice on outside courts was suspended but big-name players including world number one Rafael Nal were t affected, with ir hit-outs going ahe on Rod Laver Arena with roof closed.

Australia's wear bureau said re was widespre smoke across central and eastern Victoria state, including Melbourne, which was expected to clear by Wednesday afteron. World number five Elina Svitolina tweeted: "Why do we need to wait for something b to happen to do an action," alongside a chart describing air quality in city as "very unhealthy". Mandy Minella, world number 140 from Luxembourg, said she was "shocked" that qualifying was allowed to take place.

"What about health of all people that have to work out re, especially ballkids?" she tweeted.

America's ah Rubin complained on Twitter that players weren't being kept up to date and that "lack of information on how to proceed is scary".

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'Everyone was sent an email'

Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley rejected criticism and said that "everyone was sent an email". "It's unfortunate he missed that anuncement for a variety of reasons," he said, ding that all decisions were me on expert vice. Tiley said last week it was unlikely that Grand Slam would be delayed, regardless of conditions, after world number two vak Djokovic suggested option should be on table.

He ted that Melbourne Park has three roofed stiums and eight or indoor courts, while meteorological and air-quality experts will be on site to monitor conditions. Any smoke hazards will be treated in a similar way to extreme heat and rain, with umpires able to stop play if it is considered too dangerous to continue. Several sports events have fallen victim to thick smoke since fires first ignited, including last month's SOLAS Big Boat Challenge in Sydney and a Big Bash cricket match in Canberra.

But dozens of or fixtures have gone ahe. Leing tennis players and or sports stars have been quick to respond to crisis, pledging money to relief efforts. Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Nal are set to heline a fundraising exhibition at Melbourne Park on Wednesday. 

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