Lay day delays Fanning's charge at Bells

A fourth-round clash featuring Australian surfing star Mick Fanning and world No.1 John John Florence at Bells Beach is on hold for 24 hours.

Australian surfer Mick Fanning

A clash between Mick Fanning (pic) and John John Florence at Bells Beach is on hold for 24 hours. (AAP)

Australia's Mick Fanning will have to wait 24 hours before locking horns with reigning world champion John John Florence in a highly anticipated round four battle at Bells Beach.

Organisers of the Rip Curl Pro called a lay day on Tuesday, with forecasters tipping a bigger swell to roll in on Wednesday.

Fanning is drawn in a three-man non-elimination heat with Hawaiians Florence and Sebastian Zietz.

The winner advances to the quarter-finals, while the remaining pair will face a sudden death round five heat.

Three-time world champion Fanning is 22nd in the World Surf League rankings after sub-par results in the opening rounds at Snapper Rocks and Margaret River.

The 35-year-old is chasing the fifth Bells Beach crown of his storied career.

Florence leads the world rankings and is coming off last week's victory at Margaret River.

Other Australians still in contention at Bells are world No.2 Owen Wright and 2012 world champion Joel Parkinson.

The women's Rip Curl Pro was taken out by American Courtney Conlogue, who pipped Australia's six-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore in Monday's thrilling final.


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Source: AAP


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