COSTA DO SAUIPE, Brazil — Top-seeded Carlos Moya of Spain advanced to the Brazil Open final today, surviving a late challenge to beat Ecuador's Nicolas Lapentti 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (4) in the clay-court tournament.

Moya will face second-seeded countryman Nicolas Almagro, a 6-1, 6-1 winner over Italy's Fabio Fognini in the first semifinal.

Moya, No. 17 in the ATP world rankings, had five aces and won 72 percent of his service points against Lapentti.

Almagro, a two-time tournament champion, needed only 55 minutes to dispose of the 20-year-old Fognini, playing in his career first ATP semifinal.

The 23-year-old Almagro, 2-1 against Moya, has two career ATP titles, one in each of the past two years.