Fanning falls at Rio Pro surfing

Defending world surfing champion Mick Fanning knocked out in the second round of the Rio Pro by Brazilian wildcard David do Carmo.

Current men's world surfing champion, Australia's Mick Fanning

Three-time world surfing champion Mick Fanning has been upset in the second round of the Rio Pro. (AAP)

Three time world surfing champion Mick Fanning was stunned in the second round of the Rio Pro, falling to the bane of top seeds, the hot young local wildcard.

David do Carmo, who confessed to growing up idolising the Australian, won 14.93 points to 11.26, consigning Fanning to equal 25th place in the fourth event of the year.

"I've been watching Mick my whole life. He's the best in the world. I'm so happy to beat him," said the youngster.

Fanning, who entered the event third in the standings, said everything felt great leading up to the day's first heat in one-metre waves.

"My aim was to get a few of those rights and they didn't really show up," he said

"David did great and that's the way it goes sometimes. Everyone's got an opportunity to go and do their best and today his was better than mine."

Eleven-time champion Kelly Slater was next in the water, determined not to go the same way against another local invitee, Peterson Crisanto.

The fourth-ranked American had an average score of 11.17 for his two waves but the Brazilian managed just 6.77 allowing Slater into a third-round matchup with do Carmo.

"I've surfed against a lot of wildcards and you never know what will happen," said Slater.

"It's all about the mindset that they come into the competition with. I didn't underestimate him. Out there, if you get two good turns on the face it's a good wave for today."

Australians progressing to round three were Julian Wilson, Dion Atkinson, Bede Durbidge, and Adrian Buchan, joining the already qualified world No.3 Joel Parkinson, Mitch Crews, Josh Kerr and Taj Burrow.

Ratings leader and local favourite Gabriel Medina is also in the third round.

In the women's event, three Australians qualified for the quarter-finals in a field including ratings leader Carissa Moore of Hawaii.

Unfortunately defending event champion Tyler Wright is pitted against Nikki van Dijk while compatriot Sally Fitzgibbons is against Hawaiian Coco Ho who knocked out Australian Laura Enever in round four.

"It's hard when it's a really close friend like Laura (Enever)," said Ho.

"Sally and I have had a lot of good heats and a lot where she's got me at the end. I'm going to try my hardest."


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Source: AAP


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