World surfing champion Molly Picklum remains in the hunt for her first title of the year while Jack Robinson got some sweet revenge in the men's field at the New Zealand Pro.
Picklum withstood a late challenge from French surfer Vahine Fierro to move through to the quarter-finals at Manu Bay in Ragland on day two of the World Surf League competition.
With wind, chop and a lack of consistent waves making conditions tricky, Picklum edged her rival with a two-wave tally of 9.84 to 9.40 but was unhappy with her performance.
"We had opportunities but I just wasn't executing the decisions I was making," the 23-year-old said.
"I found it tricky, but obviously so happy to have just jammed one and got that little score and then glad that the ocean like went flat at the end.
"I'm not so proud of that effort, but I'm really happy to get another chance whenever the waves show up next and, hopefully put my better foot forward."
Eight-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore was unable to repeat her recent Gold Coast Pro heroics, out-surfed by young American Sawyer Lindblad 14.44 to 9.34.
Fellow veteran Taylor Wright took down Brazilian Luana Silva, who surrendered the yellow jersey as rankings leader on the back of the 9.00 to 8.93 loss.
Queensland's Isabella Nichols was also a round two casualty, falling to Hawaiian Bettylou Sakura Johnson by 1.30.
Wright will face Lindblad in the quarters while Picklum is up against Johnson.
Robinson was the only Australian man to taste success on day two, surviving a dramatic finish against young gun Kauli Vaast.
The last time the pair squared off was the gold medal showdown of the Paris Olympics, with the Frenchman taking the top honours.
Vaast pulled on to a wave with just over a minute remaining, needing a big score of 8.84 to take the lead.
Robinson also fired a late charge with just seconds left in the heat.
The judges took their time to hand down the scores, with both surfers back up in the stands anxiously waiting for the news.
Vaast was awarded a 9.00 but his celebrations were short-lived with Robinson's last wave earning 7.93 to trump his rival in some sweet revenge from Paris.
"I saw his wave and I was like 'OK, it's going to be a really good one' and thought I've just got to make sure I'm on one of these sets so I can answer," said Robinson.
The West Australian has had an uncharacteristically poor start to the season to be ranked 16th entering the competition but felt his luck might be turning.
"I feel like it's all just clicking in for me, so just try and focus on myself and yeah, ride waves, simple."
Robinson will take on current world No.2, Brazil's Miguel Pupo, in the third round.
Liam O'Brien and Morgan Cibilic are the only other Australian men left in the draw but only one will advance to the quarters with the good mates squaring off in the next round.
