Australian Open organisers impose 3 hour delay to start of qualifying matches due to 'poor' air quality from ongoing bushfires

Australian Open organisers have imposed a three-hour delay to the start of qualifying matches because of the "very poor" air quality from ongoing bushfires in the country.

It is the second successive day the start of play has been delayed because of the conditions in Melbourne.

Air quality in the city did improve overnight but is still "unhealthy".

Play will now begin at 3pm.

In a statement, Tennis Australia says: "Practice has been suspended until 1pm due to air quality concerns, and play will not start before 3pm.

[Source:BBC]