Three Aussie women into Rio Pro semis

It's been a successful start to the day in the water for Australians in Brazil with Sally Fitzgibbons, Keely Andrew and world champion Stephanie Gilmore all advancing to the semi-finals at the World Surf League's Rio Pro.

Fitzgibbons had the best wave of the quarter-finals on Sunday scoring an 8.00 in her 14.17 to 1.20 demolition of last-time winner at Margaret River, American Lakey Peterson.

Andrew enjoyed a 7.24 to 6.46 triumph over Brazil's Silvana Lima, while series leader Gilmore enjoyed an even slender win over Courtney Conlogue taking it out 10.90 to 10.66.

Hawaii's Carissa Moore beat another local in Tatiana Weston-Webb 12.33 to 12.04 to set up a semi showdown with Gilmore, while the first semi-final will be an all-Australian affair between Fitzgibbons and Andrew.

Julian Wilson will carry Australia's hopes in the men's quarters against Portugal's Frederico Morais.