A barrel ride by rookie Australian Morgan Cibilic wasn't enough to stop Brazilian ace Gabriel Medina in the quarter-finals of the World Surf League event at Narrabeen.
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Cibilic opened his heat on Tuesday with an 8.67 tube - the only barrel of the competition so far - but it didn't prove enough to take down two-time world champion Medina.
The young Australian was in the hunt until the final few minutes, needing a 3.87 score to take the lead.
While he scored a 4.00, Medina hit back in the dying stages to secure the win and advance to the semi-finals.
His spectacular aerial rotation in the final seconds earned a stunning 9.30 from the judges for a combined score of 15.97 to top Cibilic's 12.67.
While 21-year-old Cibilic eliminated two-time world champion John John Florence in the round of 16 on Sydney's northern beaches, and in Newcastle earlier this month, Medina has had his measure.
The two have clashed in each of the three events so far this season, with Medina triumphant each time.
In Newcastle he overcame local hope Cibilic in the semi-finals.
A frustrated Cibilic said he thought another set would arrive to add another decent score to his opening wave but was caught out.
"That was a pretty tough one," Cibilic said.
"I was pretty happy with my start... but you can't give him an inch out there, he can do anything on those sections.
"I only had a three back-up (score) and I thought for sure there was going to be one more set but that's the way the cookie crumbles sometimes.
"I'm still happy with my performance here."
Earlier, Ethan Ewing was eliminated by Portugal's Frederico Morais with Australian youngster let down by his wave choice.
Australian Associated Press