Updated

Buenos Aires, Argentina (SportsNetwork.com) - Two-time defending tournament champion David Ferrer earned a place in the semifinals with an easy victory Friday at the Copa Claro tennis event, which is part of the ATP World Tour's 'Golden Swing' through Latin America.

The top-seeded Ferrer, a runner-up in this event as well in 2010, needed just under 70 minutes to dispose of Albert Ramos by a 6-1, 6-2 score on the red clay at Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club.

Ferrer's win sets up a semifinal matchup with another former champion in fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, who outlasted eighth-seeded Jeremy Chardy in an opening-set tiebreaker en route to a 7-6 (9-7), 6-3 decision.

The fourth-seeded Almagro titled here in 2011 and was the runner-up to Ferrer the following year.

No. 2 seed Fabio Fognini, meanwhile, remains on course to reach his fifth straight clay-court final dating back to last year after handling Spaniard Pablo Andujar 6-4, 6-3. The gritty Italian improved to 22-1 on clay since last year's French Open.

Fognini will take on third-seed Tommy Robredo, who was leading No. 6 seed Robin Haase 6-1, 2-0 when the Dutchman retired with a back injury, in Saturday's other semi.