Australian Open: Hazardous air condition delays matches, restarts amid haze

The year's first Grand Slam started with a sheet of haze and smoke that covered Melbourne due to theAustralian bushfires.

Australia Open qualifying matches were delayed due to Hazardous Air conditions. But Craig Tiley (director of the Tournament) has defended the decision to proceed with the qualifiers.

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A player collapsed in a coughing fit and retired from the Australian Open qualifying on Tuesday asorganizers faced criticism over thematches going ahead despite Melbourne's air quality to "hazardous" levels due to the bushfires.

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Slovenia's Dalila Jakupovic was leading against Swiss player Stefanie Vogele (6-4 5-6) at Melbourne Park Arena, Melbourne when she collapsed on her knees on the blue hardcourt.She was seen fighting for breath.

The raging Australian bushfires have claimed 28 lives and destroyed nearly 11.2 million hectares of land.

Victoria state's environment watchdogs have also flashed pollution warnings and have asked the citizens to stay indoors.

Bushfire smoke has affected several sports involving soccer, rugby leagueand cricket withpollution leading tosafety fears at the Australian Open.

Authorities expect the smoke to stay until Wednesday when showers in the afternoon are forecast.

Novak Djokovic expressed concern earlier this month that bushfire smoke might cause health problems for players. Maria Sharapova andLaura Siegemund's matchup was abandoned due to smoke. Maria Sharapova called off the match as she was unable to bear the heat and the smoke.

Tournament organizers last week said that play will be confined to indoor stadiums if the air quality deteriorates.

A professional tennis Mandy Minella who hails from Luxembourg is competing for the qualifiers took to Twitter to express her concerns to the authorities.

The Australian Open is scheduled to be played between January 20 to February 2.