Crossword Genius

Advocate to open next resort (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

exponent

'advocate' is the definition.
(I know that advocate can be written as exponent)

'open next resort' is the wordplay.
'resort' indicates an anagram (re-sort the letters).
'open'+'next'='opennext'
'opennext' is an anagram of 'EXPONENT'.

'to' is the link.

(Other definitions for exponent that I've seen before include "Interpretive artist or performer" , "Promoter (of an idea or theory)" , "index" , "Interpretive artist - open next (anag)" , "skilful practitioner" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.
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