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The Swedish Open tennis semi-final between Fernando Verdasco and David Ferrer has been sensationally disrupted by a spectator walking on to the court and shouting a Nazi slogan.

Wearing a black T-shirt and tan trousers, the unnamed man calmly walked on during the second set before raising his right arm, fist clenched, and shouting "Hell Seger!"

The phrase is a Swedish translation of the Nazi slogan "Sieg Heil!" - and combined with the gesture is more commonly known as the Nazi or Hitler Salute.

TV footage of the incident worryingly shows how the man was able to evade apparently little if any security for a major clash.

(Image: AFP)

It shows him saunter around the advertising hoardings and what looks like a ball girl and walk straight into the middle of the arena - in between in the two players.

The umpire sat up high in his seat can be seen to suddenly realise what is happening and, looking worried, starts walking down his steps and towards the man.

TV footage then cuts away to show shots of the crowd who begin booing and whistling as the man is heard to begin shouting.

He was wearing a black T-shirt with an arrow logo - but it's not immediately clear what, if anything, that represented.

Eventually a security guard is seen walking on to the court to deal with the situation.

(Image: AFP) (Image: TT NEWS AGENCY)

The salute was adopted in the 1930s Nazi Party to signify obedience or devotion to the party's leader and glorify the German nation.

Use of it is currently a criminal offence in Sweden - as it is elsewhere in Europe including in Germany, Slovakia, Austria, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

Reuters reports that the umpire stopped play between the two Spanish players and the man was led away by security guards.

Play resumed after a brief interruption.

(Image: AFP) (Image: TT NEWS AGENCY)

The disruption occurred with Ferrer leading his fellow Spaniard by one set to love.

Verdasco bounced back to win the second set but Ferrer took the decider for a 6-1 6-7(3) 6-4 victory and will meet Alexandr Dolgopolov in Sunday's final.