Sally Fitzgibbons has kept her Olympic dream alive with a commanding third round victory over France's Pauline Ado.
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Just hours after Stephanie Gilmore was a shock exit earlier in the day, the Gerroa talent made sure her place in the competition was not at risk.
The surfer finished with a two-wave total of 10.86, ahead of her rival's 9.03.
Fitzgibbons will now contest a quarter-final against Japan's Amuro Tsuzuki on Tuesday, with the semi-finals to follow.
The 30-year-old worked her way into the heat and stayed busy as she attempted to build on each wave.
Fitzgibbons took advantage of favourable conditions early, surfing whenever she had the opportunity.
Her opponent took a different path, choosing to wait for the perfect wave and it was a decision she would be left to rue.
While Fitzgibbons recorded 13 scores, Ado registered just five.
As the conditions deteriorated and the wind picked up, the Australian's lead started to solidify.
Ultimately there was little the Frenchwoman could do as she hoped mother nature would work in her favour.
Such a wave finally emerged with two minutes remaining in the heat, but despite holding priority, Ado opted to allow her opponent the ride.
Fitzgibbons made the most of the opportunity, recording a 5.03 to extend her lead.
As the Australian started celebrating, Ado was left sitting in the water, watching the clock run out as her Olympic dream evaporated.
The Kiama High School alumna will now take on Japan's Amuro Tsuzuki in Tuesday's quarter-final.
The other women's quarter-finals will pit United States' Carissa Moore against Brazil's Silvana Lima, South Africa's Bianca Buitendag against Portugal's Yolanda Hopkins and US' Caroline Marks against Costa Rica's Brisa Hennessy.
The round three match-up of Culburra Beach's Owen Wright with France's Jeremy Flores has been rescheduled due to adverse weather conditions.
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