India's L Sarita Devi stunned World silver medallist and European champion Sumeyra Kaya of Turkey to advance to the quarter-finals of the 52 kg class at the fourth World Women's Boxing Championships in Delhi on Monday.
Sarita, tipped to be champion on home turf, was well-prepared with her strategy and outboxed Kaya to win by a 18-6 margin.
That Sarita, the bronze medallist in the 54kg in the previous edition at Podolsk, Russia, switched to the lower weight category to enhance her chances, came as a surprise to her opponent and benefited the Manipuri pugilist.
The nimble footwork of the two-time Asian champion kept Kaya at bay for most of the bout, which she led from the word go.
Sarita ended the first round leading 4-2 and then pressurized the Turk with a barrage of punches, pushing her on the ropes in the second round, to extend her lead to 13-4. She then sealed the contest using sharp right hooks in the last round.
Sarita, who was adjudged the best Asian boxer in 2003, has been unlucky despite good work but with an easy opponent in European bronze medallist Maarit Teuronen of Finland in the quarters, is hoping for an improved result at home.
Teuronen outpunched Chen Ting C of Chinese Taipei 16-4 in a slow bout.
Earlier, India's Chhotu Laura also advanced to the last eight stage by winning the first bout of the day.
The Haryana pugilist was confidence personified despite her maiden appearance at the world level as she thrashed Delphine Mancini of France 19-9 in quick time in a 50 kg bout.
Chhotu capitalised on all the missed chances by her opponent and maintained her lead through out the bout. She led 6-3 in the first round and extended it to 12-5 in the second.
In another interesting match-up of the day, Chinese Cancan Ren gave European silver medallist Saliha Ouchen of France a run for her money before losing 17-18.