The Australian Open next week is in crisis after a player collapsed in qualifying due to the "unhealthy" air in Melbourne from ongoing bushfires, while Maria Sharapova has cut short an exhibition match.

Play in qualifying has been suspended on Wednesday as outrage grows about the organisers' decision to press ahead.

The unfortunate player – Slovenia’s Delila Jakupovic – later spoke of her fear as she found herself unable to breathe during her first-round qualifying match, saying she was “angry and sad” that she had been asked to go on court despite an air-quality reading rated as “hazardous”.

On a chaotic day in air conditions rated "the worst in the world", Maria Sharapova called off her exhibition match after less than two sets.

Eugenie Bouchard left the court after struggling to breathe and world number five Elina Svitolina asked the authorities "why do we have to wait for something bad to happen" before they take action.