RIO DE JANEIRO, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian star Italo Ferreira was eliminated from the Rio Pro on Tuesday, paving the way for Australian Julian Wilson to top the World Surf League standings.
Ferreira was unable to reach top gear in front of his home fans at Saquarema, near Rio de Janeiro, as his compatriot Yago Dora won their third round duel with a combined wave score of 10.56. Ferreira managed just 9.70 from his best two attempts.
Fellow Brazilians Gabriel Medina, Filipe Toledo, Ian Gouveia and Michael Rodrigues advanced to the fourth round by winning their respective heats on Tuesday.
Gouveia was the most impressive with a combined tally of 14.26, including a superb 9.93 with his second wave.
Wilson advanced to the next stage by beating Brazil's Alejo Muniz 9.34 to 8.94. Wilson and Ferreira entered the Rio Pro as co-leaders on the world tour with 13,330 points each.