To the Nines: J-Bay's High Scores

Gabriel Medina (BRA) started off slow in Round 2 of the J-Bay Open. But the reigning World Champion worked his way to excellence by the end with a series of backhand snaps to earn a 9.07 for his final wave of the heat.

Joel Parkinson (AUS) linked a series of turns and eventually pulled into a tube during Round 2 for a 9.07.

Joel Parkinson (AUS) already locked in a 9.07 and backed it up with this 9.77 for a series of huge open face carves during Round 2 of the J-Bay Open.

Ricardo Christie (NZL) battled back at the end of Round 2, Heat 8 with a massive series of turns for a 9.70, but couldn't overcome Joel Parkinson's (AUS) two nine-point rides.

Jadson Andre (BRA) made a series of smooth transitions between turns for a 9.07 during Round 2 of the J-Bay Open.

Kai Otton (AUS) slices into a clean wave at Jeffreys Bay to earn a 9.33 and the heat win in Round 2 at the J-Bay Open.

Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) started off his Round 2 heat with a 9.00 for a series of vertical snaps and carves.

Matt Wilkinson (AUS) wasted no time starting his Round 2 heat, going vertical with multiple hacks at the lip for a 9.37 at the J-Bay Open.

Julian Wilson (AUS) earned a 9.17 on his first wave in Round 3 of the J-Bay Open for a series of turns and an air-reverse.

Nat Young (USA) already had the lead in Round 3, Heat 4 when he went to town, hitting the lip at Jeffreys Bay with multiple vertical hacks for a 9.17.

Already counting two nine-point rides, Gabriel Medina (BRA) put the finishing touches on his Round 3 heat at the J-Bay Open by going sky-high for a 9.60.

Gabriel Medina (BRA) immediately put his Round 3 opponent on high alert when he opened with a 9.47.

Gabriel Medina (BRA) followed his opener with a second ride in the nine-point range.

Seemingly undeterred by Medina's early heroics, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) put up his own nine-pointer during Round 3.

Needing a 9.50 to tie Bede Durbidge (AUS), Michel Bourez (PYF) hacked his way to exactly that, winning his Round 3 heat by breaking the tie with his 2014 overall result.

Alejo Muniz (BRA) forced the biggest upset of the event through Round 3 when he belted a 9.80 and eliminated World No. 2 Filipe Toledo (BRA).

As rookie opponent Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) dealt with a broken leash, Julian Wilson (AUS) took the opportunity to score big during Round 5 at the J-Bay Open. He earned 9.17 for this solid performance with a few progressive flourishes.

Continuing his Round 5 hot streak at the J-Bay Open, Julian Wilson (AUS) took apart Supertubes to earn a 9.50, and solidify his heat win.

After a Round 4 defeat at the hands of Gabriel Medina (BRA), Kelly Slater (USA) was back in form for Round 5. He earned a 9.60 for this solid ride.

With just minutes left in his Round 5 heat again Kelly Slater, Michel Bourez (PYF) went for broke on a solid wave to earn a 9.07.

Mick Fanning (AUS) opens his Round 5 heat at the J-Bay Open with a solid nine-point ride and the early lead over rookie Keanu Asing (HAW).

In an all-Aussie, all-goofyfooter clash, Ace Buchan gets the edge over Kai Otton with an aggressive vertical attack during the J-Bay Open Quarterfinals.

A clearly fired-up Kelly Slater (USA) scores a solid 9.00 in his Quarterfinal against Gabriel Medina (BRA) at the J-Bay Open. The score put him back in the heat after a slow start.

After defeat at the hands of Gabriel Medina (BRA) in Round 4 at the J-Bay Open, Kelly Slater (USA) struck back in their Quarterfinal matchup with a 9.10. It was his second nine-point-range score in a row, and carried him to victory over his young opponent.

Defending event champ Mick Fanning (AUS) breaks out his signature, wrapping turns and caps them off with a big floater for a 9.57 in the J-Bay Open Quarterfinals.

Kelly Slater (USA) climbed out of combination in a big way, putting up a 9.43 in the Semifinals of the J-Bay Open.