Wilson keeps title hopes alive in Portugal

The World Surf League title is still up for grabs after Australia's Julian Wilson reached the quarter-finals of the Rip Curl Pro Portugal.

The 29-year-old Queenslander is vying for the crown, currently sitting third in the rankings, behind championship leader Gabriel Medina and another Brazilian, Felipe Toledo.

The fourth heat of round four featured the all-Australian affair involving Wilson, Owen Wright, and Adrian Buchan.

New South Welshman Wright came out on top with a score of 12.16 and although Wilson managed the best wave (6.63) he finished second with a total of 12.10.

Soon after event officials decided to pull the plug earlier than expected and called competition off to wait for potentially improved conditions on Saturday.

Wilson will match up with Frenchman Joan Duru in the quarters and must win that battle in order to push the World Title race to December's Billabong Pipe Masters in Hawaii.

Medina takes on another Aussie in Matt Wilkinson in his quarter-final.