Morgan Cibilic just wants decent surf so he can go "toe-to-toe" with two-time world champion John John Florence, who produced a near-perfect ride Thursday, when they meet in the next round of the Bells Beach Pro.
Cibilic, along with fellow Merewether surfer Jackson Baker, advanced to the contest's final 16 after rediscovering the form that last year led him to the Championship Tour's top-five finals.
The 22-year-old, who had not advanced further than the round of 32 in the three prior contests and admitted this week to feeling the pressure in his second year on tour, beat current World No.2 Barron Mamiya to set-up his showdown with Florence.
Hawaiian star Florence produced scores of 8.93 and 9.93, the later considered almost a flawless ride, in his victory over Jao Chianca and looks a red-hot chance to add to his 2019 Bells title.
"If you want to be the best, you've got to beat the best," Cibilic said of facing Florence.
"That 10 he got in that last round was unbelievable.
"These are the conditions he thrives in, so it's going to be crazy-hard ... but I'm feeling good.
"Let's see what the waves bring, hopefully it is firing again.
"I'd just love to go toe-to-toe with him."
Cibilic (14.93) had a tight battle with Mamiya (13.50), but held court and surfed three seven-point waves.
Jackson Baker (14.60) advanced but not without a bit of drama after he got mixed up with South African Jordy Smith (10.90) late in their heat, a situation that could have resulted in a penalty if the judges ruled an obstruction. Baker faces Aussie Ethan Ewing next.
Ryan Callinan (13.00) fell agonisingly short of beating Brazilian Italo Ferreira (14.00) after taking him on at his own aerial game, exiting the contest and potentially the CT when the field is cut from 36 to 24 surfers after the next event at Margaret River.
