Australia's world no.6 Owen Wright has conjured a low-scoring come-from-behind win over Spaniard Artiz Aranburu to graduate to round three of the Fiji Pro.
On a day of deteriorating conditions at Cloudbreak and with surfing's best battling to avoid early elimination, Aranburu held the advantage through most of the heat over the 24-year-old New South Welshman.
But with less than five minutes remaining, Wright was able to find a 6.33 to steal the lead and secure his place in Round 3, the only Australian to do so.
"Yesterday was a real bummer for me but it was good because it made me really look at things," Wright said, referring to his narrow opening round loss to Hawaiian Sebastian Zietz.
"Today was one of the most nerve wracking heats I've had in a long time. I love getting out of those Round 2 heats."
Fellow Aussie Josh Kerr traded mid-range scores with wildcard Dane Reynolds until the American delivered a heat high 8.17 to send him home in equal 25th place, his worst result since last year's Fiji Pro.
He was joined by West Australian Jay Davies who fell to a red hot Kelly Slater.
The 11-time World Champion delivered the performance of the day, finding the biggest wave of the contest to earn a near-perfect 9.93 for a deep barrel and adding that to an excellent 8.77 already in his scoreline.
Ratings leader Adriano de Souza faced local wildcard Inia Nakalevu in the opening heat.
After waiting for the right set, he posted a first score 6.83 and then backed it up with a 6.67, enough for him to win through.
"After five minutes I realised the wind was stronger and the conditions were changing so I came more to the inside," de Souza said.
"I'm stoked to be in Round 3 and keep moving. This is an amazing chance for me to show of my surfing out there and I think the waves are going to get bigger."
Fellow Brazilian Filipe Toledo will join him in Round 3 after taking a narrow victory over the second Fijian wildcard Aca Ravulo.
Following the conclusion of Heat 5 the competition was put on hold and subsequently called off for the day after increased wind and inconsistent surf. Event organisers will reconvene on Sunday morning at 7.30 am local time to reassess conditions.
When competition recommences, up first will be Australia's Julian Wilson against American C.J. Hobgood in Heat 6 of Round 2.
Forecasters expect a reinforcing medium size SW swell will show. A larger SSW swell is likely to build in through Monday morning and peak in the afternoon before easing on Tuesday.
Wind conditions generally look favourable for at least the next few days.
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