'Harsh measures' demand over star's 'hateful act'

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The Azerbaijan Tennis Federation has sent a memo to the International Tennis Federation demanding enactment against Australian Open semi-finalist Karen Khachanov.

Khachanov progressed to the last 4 of the men's gully with a walkover triumph against Sebastian Korda connected Tuesday.

Khachanov represents Russia connected tour, but besides represents his Armenian roots, and has utilized his Open tally to nonstop enactment to Artsakh amid the ongoing Azerbaijani blockade.

LIVE UPDATES: Australian Open 2023 time 9 highlights

After his second-round triumph helium wrote connected the camera, "Keep believing each the mode until the end! Artsakh enactment strong!".

He aboriginal explained the crushed down the writing.

"I person said galore times that I respect and admit my [Armenian] roots. I americium a national of Russia, I correspond Russia, but I person Armenian humor from my father's and mother's side," Khachanov said.

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"I privation to enactment them successful immoderate way, to springiness [them] religion and strength."

The Azerbaijan Tennis Federation wants the subordinate sanctioned implicit the comments.

"Karen Khachanov... attracted attraction with his hateful act," a connection read.

Match Highlights: Karen Khachanov v Sebastian Korda

"The Azerbaijan Tennis Federation missive presented facts and ineligible documents regarding the provocation against Azerbaijan.

"The ATF condemned this enactment and demanded the tennis subordinate beryllium punished and urged the (ITF) to instrumentality harsh measures for prevention of specified incidents successful the future."

After his quarter-final triumph implicit Korda, Khachanov was asked specifically astir the ATF's letter.

"I didn't perceive thing astir that," helium responded.

Khachanov said helium has not been told to halt penning thing connected the cameras aft his matches.

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