Tyler Wright has lavished praise on 16-year-old surfer Tya Zebrowski after beating the French youngster in a tense start to the El Salvador Pro.
Wright will next take on American Lakey Peterson, while fellow Australians Molly Picklum and Sally Fitzgibbons will square off in the second round of the event at Punta Roca.
Wright, a two-time world champion, tallied a score of 12.00 from her two best waves to edge Zebrowski (11.9).
The Australian was full of praise for the teenager.
"I give a lot of credit to Tya and see a little bit of myself in her and her determination," Wright said.
"She's on tour so young and I know it's a hard challenge.
"Being in these first-round heats, it's so tricky when you come up against people who have been on tour for 16 years, and you're only 16 years old.
"She's one of the best, and I know she'll be a world champ one day."
Callum Robson produced a major upset in the opening round by taking down event favourite and fellow Australian Ethan Ewing, 12.30 to 11.47.
