Defending champion Nicolas Almagro of Spain defeated Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland 6-4 3-6 7-5 to reach the final of the Copa Claro clay-court tennis tournament on Saturday.

Second-seeded Almagro won the Brazil Open last weekend – his 11th ATP title, all on clay – and will go for No.12 on Sunday against either fellow Spaniard David Ferrer or Argentine David Nalbandian.

Almagro and Wawrinka remained on serve in the final set until Almagro broke in the last game to win the semi-final.

“I think both of us played at a high level,” Almagro said.

“I’m really happy because last year here I achieved something important in my career. I know it will be tough, but we’ll see what happens on Sunday.”

Almagro threatened to open up the semi-final in the last set with two break points in the eighth game, but failed to convert either.

He fended off a break point of his own in the 11th game to keep the match on serve, then broke Wawrinka in the final game.

AP r