Alessa Quizon of Wai'anae advanced to the semifinals of the women's division of the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships yesterday at Australia.

The women's quarterfinals, and the men's third and fourth rounds were run in 1- to 2-foot waves at North Narrabeen, Sydney, Australia.

Quizon, 16, defeated Malia Manuel of Kaua'i in the quarterfinals, 12.57-10.53.

"It's very difficult because, if anything, we wanted to be in the final together," Quizon said.

Earlier in the contest, Quizon also eliminated Kaua'i's Bethany Hamilton.

Quizon took control of the heat against Manuel by scoring a 6.67 (out of 10) with about 11 minutes remaining. Manuel needed a score of 7.74 in the closing minutes to retake the lead, but she received a 5.70 on her final wave.

Quizon is scheduled to face Pauline Ado of France in the semifinals. Ado won the women's junior world title last year.

In the men's division, Maui surfers Clay Marzo and Granger Larsen advanced to the quarterfinals.

Marzo advanced with a convincing fourth-round victory over Brazil's Wiggoly Dantas, 14.10-9.16. Marzo received scores of 7.27 and 6.83 for completing aerial maneuvers on his two best waves.

"It was tough — it's small and inconsistent," Marzo said. "I got a few (waves) early, so I'm stoked to get through."

Larsen won two heats yesterday, defeating Japan's Hiroto Arai in the third round, then Germany's Nicolau Von Rupp in the fourth round.

Another Maui surfer, Albee Layer, was eliminated in the third round.

The contest is considered the world championship for surfers age 20 and younger.