Photo: ASP / CI / Scholtz via Getty Images
Adriano sets up his bottom turn at the Billabong Pro
Mundaka.

Brazil's Adriano de Souza defeated Australia's Chris Davidson in the final of the 2009 Billabong Pro Mundaka in Spain to win his first ASP World Tour victory and climb into the top three in the world ratings. With the win, De Souza became the first South American from the 'CT to win an ASP World Tour event.

Clearly, de Souza was psyched. "I don't have words to express how happy I am right now," he said. "I have been working so hard for this ever since winning the ASP World Junior Championships and the ASP WQS. To finally win here in Mundaka, where the culture is so rich and the people love surfing so much, is an incredible thing. This is the most special day of my life."

The young Brazzo dominated the mushy lefthanders Sopelana served up, scoring 16.40 out of a possible 20 to overtake his Australian opponent. "The conditions have been hard for this event but we surfed the best waves that were available to us," de Souza said. "This is the biggest win of my career and have a lot of confidence heading into the next events." With the 2nd place result, Davidson vaulted into 20th place on tour and cemented his presence on the 2010 WCT tour. "Everything has felt special at this event for some reason," Davidson said. "Everything has clicked and I've felt confident in every heat. Couldn't find the waves in the final, but congrats to Adriano...I'm frothing for the next event and the rest of the year."

As for the rest of the 'CT standouts, C.J. Hobgood matched his best result, finishing equal 3rd and solidifying his position at 4th on the ASP World Tour ratings. "I'm happy that I matched my best result this season, but was hoping for better." Kelly Slater placed an equal 3rd and only lost to eventual winner De Souza by .07. "I guess I'm still in contention (for the ASP World Title), but we'll see how it pans out," he said.

With the completion of the Billabong Pro Mundaka, only two events remain on the 2009 ASP World Tour. Next up the world's best surfers head to Peniche, Portugal for the Rip Curl Pro Search event.

BILLABONG PRO MUNDAKA FINAL RESULTS:

1. Adriano de Souza 16.40 def. Chris Davidson 11.83

BILLABONG PRO MUNDAKA SEMIFINAL RESULTS:

SF 1: Chris Davidson 13.84 def. C.J. Hobgood 10.53

SF 2: Adriano de Souza 16.00 def. Kelly Slater 15.93

CURRENT ASP WORLD TOUR TOP 10 (After Billabong Pro Mundaka):

1. Mick Fanning (AUS) 6350 points

2. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 6306 points

3. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 5773 points

4. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 5748 points

5. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 5524 points

6. Kelly Slater (USA) 5514 points

7. Taj Burrow (AUS) 5149 points

8. Bobby Martinez (USA) 4914 points

9. Taylor Knox (USA) 4816 points

10. Damien Hobgood (USA) 4794 points