David Ferrer will defend his ATP claycourt title in Buenos Aires against Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland after their straight-sets semi-final wins on Saturday.

Ferrer defeated fellow Spaniard Tommy Robredo 6-3 6-2, and Wawrinka defeated Nicolas Almagro – also of Spain – 6-3 7-5 to reach his first final in the Argentine capital. He lost his two other semi-final appearances, including last year to Almagro.

Ferrer is the heavy favourite to take the title again after improving his record against Robredo to 6-2.

“It was a tough match physically,” said Ferrer, who has played three straight days and will make it four in the final. “Maybe it was my best match of the week.”

Robredo, who won the tournament four years ago, broke Ferrer in the first game and, momentarily, it looked like an upset might be brewing. But Ferrer’s reply was to break Robredo twice to make it 5-3.

Ferrer broke again in the third game of the second set, capitalising on Robredo’s rush to go for winning shots and his own ability to return almost everything that Robredo put in play.

“I started slowly,” Ferrer said. “I was a bit nervous and Tommy was right in the groove.”

Ferrer won in Auckland last month and will be going for his 20th career title.

Wawrinka broke Almagro in the 11th game of the second set to seal the semi-final and put himself in position to win his fourth ATP title.

“He’s always tough (Almagro),” Wawrinka said. “Nico is a great champion.

“Last year he beat me here. Today I was a little bit better,” Wawrinka said. “I was playing a bit more aggressive and that was the key.”