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Wright ends Fitzgibbons’ surfing title bid

Tyler Wright and Stephanie Gilmore are into the quarter-finals at the Maui Women's Pro, ending fellow Australian Sally Fitzgibbons' bid for a maiden world title.

With victory over Coco Ho and Silvana Lima in round three, 2016 world champion Wright moved into the No.1 spot on the 2017 rankings.

But three-time championship runner-up Fitzgibbons bombed out in the second round at Honolua Bay in Maui on Thursday (AEDT).

Fitzgibbons - the world No.1 heading into the season-ending event - was eliminated by Hawaiian wildcard Brisa Hennessy.

With seconds left on the clock and just one scoring wave to her name in the heat, Fitzgibbons took a moment to reflect on her year as a rain shower hit Honolua Bay.

In the end Hennessy's two-wave total of 11.83 out of 20 was enough to deliver her a win over Fitzgibbons by 5.16 points.

"When it doesn't turn out the way you've planned, your heart breaks but you're going to be stronger at the end of the day," Fitzgibbons told AAP.

"I think I have that athletic maturity now ... I'm going to get over the line next year."

Wright, six-time world champion Gilmore and Americans Courtney Conlogue and Carissa Moore remain in contention to win the 2017 world title.