SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Michael Phelps held off a late charge by his rivals to win the 400-meter freestyle today at the Santa Clara International Grand Prix.

Phelps cruised to an early lead, but he had to dig in over the final 100 meters to win in 3 minutes, 48.05 seconds under sunny, windy conditions at the outdoor pool.

It was his second victory in as many races.

Ryan Cochrane of Canada pushed Phelps in the closing meters only to settle for second in 3:48.40. Robert Hurley of Australia was third in 3:48.49.

Phelps has rarely swum the event over the years, and he didn't advance to the 400 free final at the 2005 world championships in Montreal, a failure that still bothers him.

Wearing a long black body suit, Phelps swam in lane 7 after qualifying fourth-fastest in the morning. The 14-time Olympic gold medalist owned an easy lead until the last two laps.

That's when the chase was on.

Cochrane, who won a bronze medal in the 1,500 free in Beijing, came edging up on Phelps, who was breathing on his right and didn't see the Canadian on his left.

But the athlete announced as the greatest swimmer in history didn't let go. He got to the wall 0.35 seconds ahead of Cochrane.

Phelps rested on the yellow lane line as the nearly full grandstand exploded in cheers. Later, with his suit peeled down to his hips, he strolled to the podium to accept his winner's medal trailed by two security guards.

When it was announced Phelps would sign autographs after his warm down, a long line of adults and kids quickly formed and snaked its way nearly halfway down the grandstand.

Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe swam to a dominating victory in the 400 individual medley, winning by 3.87 seconds over rising American teenager Dagny Knutson.

Coventry's time of 4:32.15 lowered last year's meet record of 4:36.75 set by 16-year-old Olympian Elizabeth Beisel, who finished third this year. Coventry earned $100 for the record. Knutson, a 17-year-old from Minot, N.D., also went under the old meet record, clocking 4:36.02.

Those three beat Olympic champion Stephanie Rice of Australia, who finished fourth, well off her world record of 4:29.45 set in Beijing.