Fitzgibbons and Gilmore win at Bells Beach

Australian surfing star Sally Fitzgibbons has overcome her badly-cut left foot to reach the quarter-finals at Bells Beach.

Compatriot Stephanie Gilmore also survived her elimination round-four heat, but only just - a wave score of 4.77 in the last minute gave the six-time world champion the tightest of wins.

Fitzgibbons, a two-time Rip Curl Pro winner, beat Hawaiian Tatiana Weston-Webb just three days after suffering a deep cut that needed three stitches.

"I've got the nickname 'Rocky' at home - that's what you have to do," Fitzgibbons said.

"If you're passionate about it, you're hungry, nothing is going to stand in your way."

Fitzgibbons was on the last wave of the opening day's competition when she fell awkwardly and the fin of her board punctured her foot. She had to be carried off the beach.

Fitzgibbons wore a boot over her foot and was limping noticeably on Saturday but was rapt to win.

"I copped a big blow from my fin to the top of my foot and it was a bit of a shock - there was a lot of blood and just hitting right on that bone, it sent panic buttons going off everywhere," she said.

"I was in a world of hurt (on Wednesday) - (but) it's amazing, I love the experiences.

"It makes you pull out and dig deep, it took a lot to get back out on the water today."

It adds to her reputation as a hard nut. Two years ago she overcame a perforated eardrum to win the Fiji Pro.

Fitzgibbons said it was a whirlwind after winning the Margaret River Pro last week - which gave her the joint world rankings lead with Gilmore - to then suffer the injury.

"You question yourself and the answer that I came up with is that I do have that belief and strong willpower," she said.

Fitzgibbons beat Weston-Webb 14.93 to 13.37 - the first time the Australian has competed at the Winkipop break.

While Fitzgibbons was rapt, Gilmore was relieved and frustrated after overhauling Silvana Lima.

The Brazilian, who won Bells in 2009, at one stage led Gilmore by 11.26 in the last heat of the day.

As dusk settled, Gilmore still needed 9.26 inside the last few minutes.

But then wave score of 8.4 and the 4.77 gave Gilmore - a four-time Bells winner - the win, 13.17 to 12.57.

"I'm consistently going for the patient award - it's a terrible tactic, it's stressing me out," Gilmore said.

"I promise I can (surf) - I promise I just don't sit there like a tea bag all the time.

"I need to get out of this 'wait for a nine-point ride' and just catch waves."

Gilmore has struggled for her top form after winning the opening round on the Gold Coast.

"Hopefully I can figure something out before the next heat," she said.

Gilmore will face Johane Defay of France in the quarter-finals, while Fitzgibbons is up against American Lakey Peterson.

American defending champion Courtney Conlogue beat Australian Nikki Van Dijk and now meets Hawaiian star Carissa Moore.

Australian Tyler Wright will go up against Hawaiian Coco Ho for the last place in the semi-finals.