Overview

• Xavier Huxtable, 22, earned entry into the Rip Curl Pro through the Victorian trials and capitalized on his local knowledge to defeat world No.1 Italo Ferreira in the round of 32.
• Huxtable scored 13.66 to Ferreira’s 9.67 in four-to-six-foot waves at Bells Bowl, marking the biggest win of his career so far.
• The upset came after a two-hour delay on Friday morning, with organizers resuming competition under improved conditions.
• Moroccan surfer Ramzi Boukhiam was forced to withdraw from the event due to a knee injury sustained during the round of 32 heats.
• Huxtable is set to face American Griffin Colapinto in the upcoming round of 16 as the competition progresses toward the quarter-finals.