Australian goofy-footer Owen Wright has the Fiji Pro title in his sights after becoming only the fifth surfer to produce a perfect 20 heat score in men's world championship history.
Wright earned unanimous scores of 10 out of 10 from the five World Surf League judges for two great barrel rides during a fifth round clash with compatriot Adam Melling in a surging eight-foot swell at Cloudbreak on Monday.
It's the seventh time a surfer has notched the maximum 20 points for a heat - fellow Australian Joel Parkinson and American Kelly Slater have done it twice.
The freakish performance earned Wright a spot in the quarter-finals against former world champion Parkinson while the defeat was tough for NSW's Melling who banked impressive scores of 9.70 and 8.00.
"I never thought I'd ever get 20 points in my life, but there's so much opportunity out there," said Wright.
"It feels great to accomplish it. It just feels great to get those waves."
There are five Australians among the eight quarter-finalists, with Wright the highest-ranked surfer remaining at No.6.
However, Mick Fanning missed a big opportunity when he was eliminated in the fifth round by fellow Australian Kai Otton, 14.33 to 11.33.
Fanning would have gone to No.1 in the standings if he'd made the final, thanks to the earlier defeat of rankings leader Adriano de Souza and second-ranked Filipe Toledo.
Fellow Australian Julian Wilson, who scored a stunning 19.43 total to beat Taj Burrow and Slater in the fourth round, will face Brazilian rookie Italo Ferreira in the quarter-finals.
Ferreira (10.97) is a surprise quarter-finalist after upsetting Slater (7.34) in the elimination fifth round.
Western Australia's Taj Burrow eliminated American Dane Reynolds 15.24 to 13.66 and will face Brazilian Wiggolly Dantas while France's Jeremy Flores will battle Otton.
Earlier in the day Otton (14.97) upset defending world champion Gabriel Medina (13.77).
Medina's defeat continues his disappointing start to 2015, having made it past the third round just once in five events.
PERFECT HEATS IN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
2015: Owen Wright (AUS) - Fiji Pro
2013: Joel Parkinson (AUS) - Oakley Pro Bali
2013: Kelly Slater (USA) - Volcom Fiji Pro
2011: Jeremy Flores (FRA) - Billabong Pro Tahiti
2008: Joel Parkinson (AUS) - Billabong Pipe Masters
2005: Kelly Slater (USA) - Billabong Pro Tahiti
1996: Shane Beschen (USA) - Billabong Pro Gold Coast (three perfect-10s)
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