2003 Boost Mobile Pro at Lowers

"That was really intense," admitted Burrow. "I was getting waves, but 'Hedgey' was getting better ones each set and must have been surfing really well. Then I did one wild turn on my last wave, praying I wouldn't fall as my tail went right around, and luckily hung on. I was so glad to get a 9.8 (laughs). The wave was a blessing and I nailed it."

To the victor go the spoils.

Six-time world champion Kelly Slater (FL, USA) overcame Luke Stedman (Whale Beach, Aus) in round three. The Floridian made his share of errors - including falling on his first good wave, and then slipping off during another two - but he also weaved his magic on a great lefthander and remained within clear striking distance of Stedman's lead. As time elapsed the champ required a 7.1, but with 40-seconds remaining he paddled into a great righthander and skated across the lip with two floaters, and then executed a series of re-entries for the winning score of 7.37-points. Following Andy's loss, Slater can now claim the ratings lead if he wins the Boost Mobile Pro presented by Quiksilver.

"I shouldn't have caught that first wave," began Slater, surrounded by media. "I just wanted to get something happening. Then Luke got the next one and was ahead, so I had to play catch up the whole time. I saw some waves coming at the end of the heat, so I hoping to stay inside and keep him off one so he didn't better his score, and then find one for myself. I didn't need a big score, so knew if I got a wave and didn't fall I could get it. I was patient, and just told myself, 'if it's meant to happen it will.'

"If gives me an opportunity to catch up," he added, of the all-important title race. "But there's still a long way to go."

Neco Padaratz continued his campaign over fellow Brazilian Peterson Rosa with a commanding performance. The 27-year-old locked in one of the highest tally's for 17.4-points, and will now face Slater in another great round four battle.

"I just know I'm against another person, and expect 200 percent of myself," said Padaratz, of facing Slater. "I know he's going for the world title and is always on it. He'll be ready and so will I."

World #2 Joel Parkinson (Gold Coast, Aus) fought back after opponent and former #2 wildcard Shane Beschen opened with a commanding 8.33 ride, highlighted by a forehand air-reverse on the inside. The Australian locked in two strong waves - one right and the other a left - while Beschen was unable to secure another big score. Parko will now face another local in Pat O'Connell (Laguna), who eliminated Trent Munro (Scotts Head, Aus) from round three.

"I was kind of late getting out for the heat, and saw Beschen get his first good one as I was paddling," explained Parkinson. "I knew I was behind the eight ball, so I thought it may end up bad, but the second half of the heat went my way."

Defending Boost Mobile Pro winner Luke Egan (Gold Coast, Aus) controlled his third round match with Shane Dorian (Haw), and will now face good friend Taylor Knox (CA, USA) next, after the Californian collected one of the best single scores of the day for a 9.5 to eliminate Armando Daltro (Brz).

Boost Mobile Pro presented by Quiksilver Round Three Heats (1st>Rnd4; 2nd=17th, receives US$4,000)

• H5: Michael Lowe (Aus) 11.4 def. Lee Winkler (Aus) 10.43
• H6: Victor Ribas (Brz) 15.5 def. Mark Occhilupo (Aus) 13.27
• H7: Paulo Moura (Brz) 13.33 def. Michael Campbell (Aus) 13.00
• H8: Bruce Irons (Haw) 15.5 def. Andy Irons (Haw) 15.17
• H9: Joel Parkinson (Aus) 15.5 def. Shane Beschen (USA) 15.4
• H10: Pat O'Connell (USA) 14.5 def. Trent Munro (Aus) 14.17
• H11: Dean Morrison (Aus) 16.1 def. Chris Davidson (Aus) 15.33
• H12: Richard Lovett (Aus) 14.0 def. Shea Lopez (USA) 13.9
• H13: Kelly Slater (USA) 16.04 def. Luke Stedman (Aus) 15.76
• H14: Neco Padaratz (Brz) 17.4 def. Peterson Rosa (Brz) 10.5
• H15: Luke Egan (Aus) 15.73 def. Shane Dorian (Haw) 10.27
• H16: Taylor Knox (USA) 13.33 def. Armando Daltro (Brz) 11.67

Round Four (1st>Quarterfinals; 2nd=9th, receives US$5,000)

• H1: Taj Burrow (Aus) 17.57 def. Nathan Hedge (Aus) 16.43
• H2: Mick Fanning (Aus) 14.57 def. Jake Paterson (Aus) 13.73
• H3: Victor Ribas (Brz) 13.5 def. Michael Lowe (Aus) 7.67
• H4: Bruce Irons (Haw) 16.0 def. Paulo Moura (Brz) 8.83