Mick Fanning missed a golden chance to claim top spot on the World Surf League standings when beaten by a 39th-ranked Spanish wildcard at the Billabong Pro in Tahiti.
Aritz Aranburu only gained entry to the event at the iconic Teahupo'o reef break after Australia's Matt Banting withdrew with injury, but he made the most of it when he pulled off the third round upset on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old easily accounted for Fanning, who was competing at his first contest since being attacked by a shark in the final of the Jeffrey's Bay event in South Africa.
For Fanning, it was a huge opportunity squandered.
Series leader Adriano De Souza was eliminated in the heat immediately prior, opening the door for the Australian to move into pole position as he chases a fourth world title.
But Fanning was out of sorts, only managing scores of 5.17 and 1.50 as the tide rolled in and the four-foot swell dropped off.
Surfing in just his second championship event of the season, Aranburu wasn't overawed and whizzed to an early advantage with back-to-back wave scores of 7.00 and 8.17.
That combined score of 15.17 proved to be more than enough with Fanning struggling to find any fluency as he searched in vain for the big barrels for which Teahupo'o is renowned.
"I was lucky enough that I got that good one at the beginning," said Aranburu.
"Everything went my way because I got those two waves and there wasn't much other scoring potential.
"This contest is a blessing and I'm just trying to make heats and enjoy it as much as I can."
Fanning on Sunday talked about his relief in returning to competition following the shark attack in the final of the J-Bay Open.
He has four events remaining this season - at Trestles in California, Landes in France, Cascais in Portugal and the Pipe Masters in Hawaii - to get back to winning ways and add to the world crowns he claimed in 2007, 2009 and 2013.
Of the other Australians in round three, Kai Otton edged out compatriot Bede Durbidge 13.13 to 12.00, Owen Wright was in great form recording 18.23 to beat Hawaiian Dusty Payne (15.70) and Matt Wilkinson (8.66) was thrashed by Wiggolly Dantas (16.83).
Heat five was the standout of the event so far, reigning world champion Brazilian Gabriel Medina scoring 19.00 to pip Hawaii's John John Florence (18.84).
Brazilian De Souza was shocked by countryman and wildcard Bruno Santos who was competing in his first top-tier event of 2015.
Australians Josh Kerr, Adrian Buchan, Joel Parkinson and Julian Wilson face third-round heats on Wednesday after officials opted to call off action for the day with four duels remaining.
Wilson is now well placed to shoot from third to the top of the standings.
ROUND THREE RESULTS:
Heat 1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 16.97 beat Brett Simpson (USA) 12.50
Heat 2: Kai Otton (AUS) 13.13 beat Bede Durbidge (AUS) 12.00
Heat 3: Owen Wright (AUS) 18.23 beat Dusty Payne (HAW) 15.70
Heat 4: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 16.10 beat Jadson Andre (BRA) 9.83
Heat 5: Gabriel Medina (HAW) 19.00 beat John John Florence (HAW) 18.84
Heat 6: Bruno Santos (BRA) 16.20 beat Adriano de Souza (BRA) 13.70
Heat 7: Aritz Aranburu (ESP) 15.17 beat Mick Fanning (AUS) 6.67
Heat 8: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 16.83 beat Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 8.66
ROUND THREE HEATS TO COME:
Heat 9: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Heat 10: Kelly Slater (USA) vs Sebastian Zietz (HAW)
Heat 11: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs Joel Parkinson (AUS)
Heat 12: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs CJ Hobgood (US)
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