Fanning happy with fifth at Bells surfing

Mick Fanning's comeback is back on track after the Australian surfing star's march to the quarter-finals at Bells Beach.

The three-time world champion and four-time Rip Curl Pro champion suffered two narrow losses on Wednesday to reigning world champion John John Florence.

The second knocked the Australian out of the event, but Fanning was encouraged by a much-improved performance and fifth place.

Fanning has committed to the world tour full-time after last year's sabbatical.

After being knocked out early in the first two events at Snapper Rocks and Margaret River, Fanning changed his approach.

"I'm happy with my performance - it's good to actually put a few good heats together, and just sort of get a bit of rhythm back," he said.

"At the start of the year, I was just trying to do the same things that I've done before, and it just wasn't feeling right - it felt like I was really forcing it.

"This event, I just changed it all up, went really relaxed and it felt way better.

"It felt like I had more energy out in the water - it felt like I was just free-surfing, which was fun."

Florence came from behind in the fourth round and again in the quarters to beat Fanning, before the Hawaiian phenomenon had an upset semi-final loss to Brazilian Caio Ibelli.

The world champion unleashed spectacular airs in the two heats to go ahead of the Australian.

"I told him before we paddled out - 'you're not allowed to do airs', but he didn't listen to me," Fanning said.

"That's the freak of John John Florence - he's an incredible athlete, an incredible talent.

"You can't do anything but just applaud it, really.

"I can't do that."