Anderson, who turns 28 next week, progressed to round three at the World Surf League women's qualifying series 5000-point event at Riyue Bay.

She managed a two-wave combined score of 11.13 on Tuesday with a 5.4 and 5.73 from her two rides, finishing ahead of Pauline Ado (9.27), Carol Henrique (7.90) and Leticia Canales Bibao (3.83).

Anderson has been pitted against fellow Australia Holly Wawn and Japan's Mahina Maeda in the round of 24. The top two advance to one-on-one battles.

"The girls in round one were ripping and there was a lot of big scores," Anderson told WSL media.

"I was really happy to get through that round two heat in the first event of the year."

Anderson, who has narrowly missed making the championship tour on multiple occasions during the last decade, is still focused on reaching her "goal".

"I'm sure every girl in this contest is here to win and to qualify. That's my goal," she said.

"Now with the challenger series we've got quite a big year ahead.

"Obviously there's a goal and [I've had] a few years on the QS now so I'm pretty used to going round and doing a lot of events. Just keeping it simple.

"Really happy to get through that first heat and just the next heat is the next one.

"The competition is really tough now, there's so many girls that are surfing really well."

The likes of Coco Ho, Claire Bevilacqua and Ellie Brooks have also made the last 24. The competition window finishes on Sunday.

Anderson is the defending champion at Sydney's Carve Pro, which starts January 29.

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