MANLY BEACH, Sydney » Sunset Beach’s Mahina Maeda won her opening heat on Saturday in 2- to 3-foot surf at the Hurley Australian Open of Surfing.

Maeda, the reigning world junior champion, put up a 12.25 two-wave score in the first heat of the World Surf League Junior Qualifying Series’ Women’s Pro Junior division. She narrowly edged Isabella Nichols of Austrlia, who scored a 12.20.

Maeda is set to surf Round 2 against Australians Bodhi Leigh-Jones, Lucy Callister and Rubie Reents.