Jeremy Flores Through to Round 4, wildcard Julian Wilson Defeats Slater

Jeremy Flores (FRA), 20, defeated ASP World Tour rookie Nic Muscroft (AUS) today in clean three-foot (one meter) waves at Snapper Rocks, the young Frenchman making the best out of the tricky incoming tide conditions to secure a Round 4 berth in the Quiksilver Pro Gold Goast pres. by LG. Flores came up with good surfing to get rid of Muscroft and will now face former ASP World Champion and double-event winner Mick Fanning (AUS).

"There were some really good waves all day and it kind of stopped for our heat and went flat,” Flores said. “Nic (Muscroft) and I were just struggling to find a good one and I was really stressing out because even if you are surfing well, if you don't get the better wave you are not going to make it."

Flores, who placed equal 3rd in the Quiksilver Pro last year, will be facing one of the crowd’s favorites when competition resumes, still being confident about his chances to create the upset.

"I am going heat by heat right now,” Flores said. “I am going to face Mick (Fanning) in next round so it might be the hardest heat but I have already defeated him and I know it is possible. I'll have to get the good waves and stay focused and relaxed. If I surf at my best, I have a chance to beat him."

Kelly Slater’s bid for an unprecedented 10th world title has gotten off to a shaky start with the nine-time’s world champion eliminated by event wildcard Julian Wilson in the most dramatic heat of the day.

Twenty-year-old sensation Wilson, who is competing in his third consecutive Quiksilver Pro as a wildcard, defeating the reigning Quiksilver Pro champion for the second time in three years.

In 2007, Wilson relegated Slater into the sudden-death round two heats with an opening-heat win.

Highlights from today’s Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast action are available via www.quiksilverpro.com.au and the Belly'sblog

QUIKSILVER PRO GOLD COAST ROUND 3 RESULTS:
Heat 6: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 12.83 def. Nic Muscroft (AUS) 11.07
Heat 8: Julian Wilson (AUS) 15.33 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 13.84

ROUND 4 UPCOMING MATCH-UP
Heat 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) Vs Jeremy Flores (FRA)