Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Ethan Ewing and Morgan Cibilic are the last Australian surfers standing in the Rio Pro after navigating their way to the quarter-finals in Saquarema, Brazil.
The women’s field was cut down to the final four with teen phenom Tya Zebrowski making her first semi-final by downing five-time world champion Carissa Moore, 12.70 to 7.77.
Zebrowski, 15, overcame Australian great Stephanie Gilmore in the opening round of the sixth tour stop of the year.
“I don’t really have a secret. I just didn’t really think about it when I was against Steph (Gilmore), but of course I was thinking about it going against Carissa (Moore),” said French Tahitian Zebrowski.
“She beat me in Snapper, so I really didn’t want her to beat me again. I just tried to stay focused on myself, not watch her too much, and stay focused on my game.”
Americans Caroline Marks and Sawyer Lindblad joined Zebrowski, along with Spanish rookie Nadia Erostarbe, who eliminated reigning world champion Molly Picklum in round two and then 2024 title-holder Caitlin Simmers.
Two rounds of the men’s competition were completed with Australians Jack Robinson, Liam O’Brien, George Pittar and Callum Robson all casualties.
Ewing overcame Japan’s Kanoa Igarasi, scoring 14.33 to 12.27 to advance to the last eight, where he will meet France’s Olympic gold medallist Kauli Vaast.
Vaast proved himself one of the surfers to beat as he shocked current rankings leader Italo Ferreira 14.17 to 12.87.
“I’m stoked. Especially to be here, it’s a crazy vibe when you’re against the number one-ranked Italo (Ferreira). He’s the man here, everyone loves him, and I was the underdog in that heat,” said Vaast.
Cibilic will next take on another local favourite in Joao Chianca, who eliminated Pittar.
The Newcastle star, who beat South African Matthew McGillivray, is looking for a big result to climb up the rankings from world No.16.
“I really wanted to make sure I felt like I belonged back on tour,” Cibilic said.
“I feel like I’ve been doing my best surfing and I got unlucky at the start of the year, coming up against the top seeds in the first rounds.
“Hopefully I can keep getting a few more heat wins now.
“It feels amazing, it’s a pretty cool experience – it’s probably the most people I’ve seen on a beach for a surfing event.”
