MELBOURNE – The Australian Open tennis Grand Slam began on schedule Monday after air pollution eased following a build-up plagued by choking haze from widespread bushfires. Tournament officials are closely monitoring air quality and will halt play and close the three main stadiums' roofs if the particulate matter rating (PM2.5) — the solid and liquid particles suspended in the air — hits 200. Several players had coughing and breathing problems during qualifying last week, when haze blew over Melbourne from the deadly bushfires that have swept Australia. "After I practiced indoors I felt really bad with my lungs," said Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas, the world number six. Air quality improved markedly over the weekend and was rated as 'good' by Victoria's state environmental agency on Monday.

Source: Philippine Star January 20, 2020 00:33 UTC