Maria Sharapova and Eugenie Bouchard saw their matches on Tuesday overshadowed by health concerns caused by 'hazardous' levels of smoke in the air from nearby bushfires.

Novak Djokovic, says the Australian Open in Melbourne may need to be postponed as players continue to struggle to compete due to the smoke-filled air.

The Russian star jumped behind the microphone to provide commentary at the Kooyong Classic, a tournament ahead of the Australian Open, while Dimitrov was on court at the time.

The 32-year-old tennis pro's WTA ranking recently fell to No. 369 following her first-round defeat at the Australian Open 2020

Maria Sharapova has announced her retirement from tennis after winning five Grand Slam titles during her career. She has announced she will be quitting tennis in an interview with Vanity Fair.

The 32-year-old Russian athlete was seen on a hike with two pals in Palos Verdes, California on Thursday. Maria seemed to be in great spirits as she beamed while cradling tiny dog while enjoying breeze.

CRAIG HOPE AT THE AVIVA STADIUM: It is just as well Mick McCarthy said that he would not mind a 'scrappy win' against Gibraltar, but this was ugly even by Ireland's unsightly standards.

The talented Ireland Under 21 international has decided that education must come first before embarking on his career as a full-time professional footballer.

West Ham midfielder Declan Rice has now played three times for the Three Lions and has again been called up for the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Kosovo.

Roy Keane has launched a withering attack on a string of Republic of Ireland internationals, questioning the ability of players who previously questioned him.

The West Ham United midfielder chose to represent England in February, having made three friendly appearances for the Republic of Ireland beforehand.

Jonathan Walters has hit back at Roy Keane after the former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland captain blasted him for crying while talking on TV about the death of his mother and brother.

CRAIG HOPE: For a country who have long since struggled for goalscorers, to unearth three news ones made this friendly entirely worthwhile for Mick McCarthy's men.

McCarthy laughed at mention of Connolly's name as a ocal journalist asked if the striker would be starting at the Dinamo Stadium on Saturday. 'Well I'm not going to tell you the team,' he returned.

The 'Special One', who left Manchester United ten months ago, has named the Brazilian Ronaldo as the greatest player he has worked with, having coached him at Barcelona.

CRAIG HOPE IN TBILISI: Ireland were compared to Lord of the Dance's Michael Flatley by Georgia's coach on the eve of the game. That, though, was certainly not a reference to fine footwork.

After Belgium, Italy, Russia, Poland and Ukraine had already booked their places in the latest edition of the European Championship, Spain also achieved the feat on Tuesday night.

Burnley midfielder Robbie Brady and Newcastle defender Ciaran Clark have been included in the finalised squad for the Republic of Ireland's clashes with New Zealand and Denmark.

CRAIG HOPE AT THE AVIVA STADIUM: In setting up the goal that completed Ireland's comeback, Troy Parrott gave Mick McCarthy something to think about ahead of facing Denmark.

The Republic of Ireland fell to third in Group D in Euro 2020 qualifying after tonight's fixtures and now know they must beat Denmark in Dublin on Monday night to make the finals next summer.

Robbie Keane has challenged his Republic of Ireland. players to make themselves heroes as they look to seal Euro 2020 qualification with victory against Denmark on Monday night.

Danny Murphy has come out in defence of Declan Rice, after the West Ham and England midfielder was slaughtered for his apparent lacklustre performance during Sunday's win over Kosovo.

CRAIG HOPE AT THE AVIVA STADIUM: Ireland headed for March's play-offs in their bid to avoid the ignominy of missing out on a tournament for which they are one of 12 hosts.

Mick McCarthy is hoping that the four-month break before Ireland's Euro 2020 playoff could see the likes of Troy Parrott and Aaron Connolly return with more Premier League experience.

Steve Clarke's team flopped in the Euro 2020 qualifiers, but their performance in last season's Nations League was enough to give them a second chance of reaching next summer's finals.

England and Ireland are set to stage a joint bid in hope of securing the hosting of the 2030 football World Cup, and are reported to be confident of pulling it off.

Republic of Ireland international Daryl Murphy has admitted to taking cocaine on a night out that led to him being banned by the Football Association.

Adam Idah may have put himself on the fast-track to the Ireland squad after his FA Cup heroics for Norwich. Cork-born teenager striker Idah scored a hat-trick against Preston in the third round.

Most people go on dating apps to find love, but one Dundalk fan has stumbled across something different - her club's new signing. Jesus 'Chino Perez wrote that he played for the club in his Tinder profile.

Mick McCarthy's future as Republic of Ireland manager is uncertain amid the impact of coronavirus on the fixture calendar. The 61-year-old's contract runs until the end of the Euro 2020 campaign.

Terrified Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has been made to go into full isolation after his close neighbours tested positive for coronavirus.

Mick McCarthy says he is 'hugely disappointed' after being replaced by Stephen Kenny as Republic of Ireland manager with the delay to Euro 2020 having brought forward the bizarre succession plan.

The country's record goalscorer - who has two years to run on his £220,000-a-year contract - had assumed he would be part of Kenny's coaching staff having served under Mick McCarthy.

Robbie Keane, who is also Jonathan Woodgate's assistant at Middlesbrough, is furious he has been left in the cold despite having two years to run on his £220,000-per-year Ireland contract.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY IAN LADYMAN: There was a time when Mick McCarthy thought football was straightforward -but it didn't last very long into his career.

The former Republic of Ireland international, who became a famous football pundit in Spain, revealed he had metastatic cancer in December 2018 but has now tragically lost his battle.

Laura Trott added the women's omnium world title to the team pursuit gold at the world championships in Melbourne on Saturday.

Behind every great athlete is a great team. For British cycling sensation Laura Trott, life with the Olympic champions with which she now surrounds herself goes beyond 'team', they are a happy family.

Double world champion track cyclist Laura Trott opens up to Sportsmail on her admiration for Victoria Pendleton, her love of Britney Spears and a strange chocolate habit.

Glenda Trott took her family to a cycling track because she was desperate to lose weight. She lost seven stone and introduced her daughter to a sport she excelled at.

Despite her astonishing success in the cycling team pursuit yesterday, not everything has gone to plan for Laura Trott.

In one phrase, petite Laura Trott, Essex girl and now double Olympic champion, became the embodiment of British Cycling. ‘Once I got that winning feeling that was it, I really didn’t want to not win,’ she said.

When I started cycling, Laura Trott was the Under 12 national champion and I was good friends with her older sister Emma. I remember telling Emma I'd heard how good she was.

Just over a year ago, Laura Trott was a promising youngster who thought she would get her chance at an Olympics in 2016. Today the twenty-year-old is the proud owner of TWO Olympic gold medals.

Laura’s story of her path to glory is one of the most uplifting of the past ten days. But the thing that makes it extra special is the fact that, right from the start, it’s been a fabulous Trott family effort.

The blonde 5ft 4in cyclist from Cheshunt, Hertfordshire is lucky to be alive after she was born a month prematurely suffering from a collapsed lung.

They are the new king and queen of the track cycling. And it seems Laura Trott and Jason Kenny are ready to rule Britannia together for many years to come.

After finding herself in the spotlight kissing fellow cyclist Jason Kenny, Laura Trott has publicly confirmed the beginnings of a new relationship.

57% of people say music significantly helps them train, and Don't Stop Me Now by Queen is the most popular workout track, particularly among women.

Laura Trott is as happy as it is possible to be. She has the Olympic rings painted on to her fingernails, a smile to illuminate the room and two, large gold medals hanging around her neck.