Aussie surfer Mick Fanning wins Bells

Defending champion Mick Fanning has won his way through to the Rip Curl Pro final at Bells Beach with the three-time world champion to face Brazil's Adriano de Souza.

Chasing his fourth Bells trophy, Fanning again showed his brilliant understanding of the rolling right-handers, breezing past California's Nat Young in their semi-final clash.

Fanning was clinical as he carved up the open walls of Bells, picking off the best waves of the heat to rack up a total of 17.60, with his highest scoring ride an 8.7.

An outgunned Young could only manage a heat total of 13.60.

Should Fanning ring the Bell again he will equal four-time world champion Mark Richards and 11-time world champ Kelly Slater as the only four time winners of the iconic event.

Fanning won his first Bells title in 2001 as a 19-year-old wild card before saluting again in 2012 and 2014.

Earlier, the 33-year-old ousted big South African Jordy Smith 17.76 points to 15.16 in a high-scoring quarter-final.

He was joined in the last four by compatriot Josh Kerr, who beat fellow Australian Owen Wright 13.00 to 7.93.

But Kerr fell to de Souza in their semi-final clash after the Brazilian beat world champion Gabriel Medina in the opening quarter-final.

The men's competition is expected to finish later on Thursday.

Fanning's semi-final opponent, Young progressed through to the final four after upsetting ratings leader Filipe Toledo in the fourth quarter-final.

The in-form Brazilian had won the season-opening Quiksilver Pro on the Gold Coast last month.

Young reached the final of the 2013 Rip Curl Pro in his rookie year before bowing out to de Souza.