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Australia's five-time world champion para rower Erik Horrie will have to make his way through the repechage round after coming second in the men's single scull.

Australia rower Erik Horrie will have to go the long way around to clinch a third Paralympic medal after being surprisingly relegated to the repechage round in Tokyo.

The men's single scull was expected to be a two-way tussle between Horrie, who has won silver in the event in Rio and London, and two-time Olympic champion Roman Polianskyi of the Ukraine.

While Polianskyi won his heat in the fastest time of the day to move directly into the final, Sydneysider Horrie was beaten into second place by Rene Campos Pereira.

The burly Brazilian and Horrie tussled for the lead until the 1000m before the Australian conceded, with his rival finishing more than 35 seconds clear.

The 41-year-old, a five-time world champion, will now contest the repechage on Saturday with the top two going into Sunday's final.

Campos Pereira finished sixth in Rio but looked strong to the line, with Paralympic rowers completing the full international distance of 2000m for the first time.

Para rowing switched to 2000m races from 1000m at the 2017 world championships.

In the mixed double scull Australians Kathryn Ross and Simon Albury finished third in their heat, with British Olympic champions Lauren Rowles and Laurence Whiteley comfortable winners.

Australia came home second in the mixed coxed four behind the United States to also move into the repechage race on Saturday.