ASP world tour leader Kelly Slater recovered from defeat in the fourth round to post a convincing win in round five and reach the quarter-finals of the Quiksilver Pro in New York.

The reigning 10-times ASP world champion kicked off his day by losing out to Australian Josh Kerr, who posted scores of 9.57 and 9.70 to progress directly to the last eight.

But Slater rebounded with victory over Jeremy Flores of France as he eased into the quarters at Long Beach.

“The conditions are tough,” Slater said. “It has changed a lot from my last heat and with the rips from east wind, it’s a lot trickier, especially on the lefts. I was trying to find peaky mid-sized rights and wasn’t sure where to sit.

"Obviously you want to make at least quarterfinals when you’re in position for a world title. Maybe Owen (Wright) and Joel (Parkinson) are facing the pressure for that as well.”

Also through were Australian Owen Wright and Heitor Alves of Brazil, the latter taking down Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson on his way.

“I can’t believe it,” Alves said. “I’m so tired right now after surfing three heats and happy too. I beat Joel Parkinson and Mick Fanning.

"Thanks to God for everything he has given me. I’m looking for my best result, maybe I’ll find it here.”

Quarter-final match-ups:

QF 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA)

QF2: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)

QF 3: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. Heitor Alves (BRA)

QF 4: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Julian Wilson (AUS)

Round five results:

Heat 1: Jadson Andre (BRA) 13.60 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12.93

Heat 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 14.60 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 6.67

Heat 3: Heitor Alves (BRA) 13.57 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.00

Heat 4: Julian Wilson AUS) 13.97 def. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 13.27

Round four results:

Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 14.93, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14.77, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 11.37

Heat 2: Josh Kerr (AUS) 19.27, Kelly Slater (USA) 16.20, Jadson Andre (BRA) 12.50

Heat 3: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 12.10, Heitor Alves (BRA) 8.64, Fred Patacchia (HAW) 7.13

Heat 4: Owen Wright (AUS) 16.37, Julian Wilson (AUS) 12.00, Joel Parkinson (AUS) 10.30

Round three results:

Heat 5: Josh Kerr (AUS) 13.33 def. Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 10.83

Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Bobby Martinez (USA) *Was not surfed. Martinez disqualified from competition.

Heat 7: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 14.14 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 14.07

Heat 8: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 14.37 def. Kieren Perrow (AUS) 8.33

Heat 9: Heitor Alves (BRA) 16.43 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 9.67

Heat 10: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 14.80 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 9.14

Heat 11: Julian Wilson (AUS) 15.03 def. Brett Simpson (USA) 12.57

Heat 12: Owen Wright (AUS) 18.67 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 11.77

Eurosport