Philippa Anderson moved up two spots in the women's qualifying series (QS) rankings with a semi-final effort at the 3000-point Hyuga Pro in Japan on Sunday.
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The Merewether surfer climbed to 20th on the QS standings after bowing out to eventually winner Zahli Kelly in the semis, 13.27 to 9.3.
Anderson led early with scores of 4.17 and 4.4 but Kelly produced back-to-back, long forehand rides earning 6.57 and 6.33. It left Anderson needing an 8.5 to retake the lead.
With only small waves on offer, she earned a 4.9 on her backhand to reduce the requirement but Kelly responded with a 6.7 to leave her rival needing an 8.37. The Casuarina teenager went on the defeat American Alyssa Spencer in the final and move inside the qualification line for the 2020 championship tour in ninth.
Anderson is 3240 points behind the line with only one major event remaining, the 6000-point Port Stephens Pro on November 15-17. She had earlier beaten Puerto Rican Tia Blanco on Sunday in the quarter-finals 14.5 to 12.76.
Fellow Merewether surfer Ryan Callinan had his worst result of the year on the championship tour when he exited in round two at the Portugal Pro last Friday. Callinan (11.33) lost to Brazilian Jesse Mendes (15.9) and local Frederico Morais (12.76) in round two.
He was second with a 5 and 6.33 from tube rides before Morais gained a 7.43 for a barrel to leave Callinan needing a 6.44 in the final six minutes.
He was in the elimination heat after finishing last in round one with 6.76 to trail Wade Carmichael (10.13) and Sebastian Zietz (11.50).