Canada continue to lead the way at World Championships

The home favourites have now won seven from seven after a 9-4 win over China in the afternoon session, before going on to hammer Germany 8-2 in the evening.

Hot on their heels are Switzerland and Sweden, with Niklas Edin's team following up an 8-2 morning win over Italy with a 10-5 afternoon demolition of bottom placed Russia.

Switzerland struggled more on Tuesday but eventually fought to a 6-5 win over Scotland, with fourth Benoit Schwarz picking up a double in the final end to overturn a one-stone deficit, before going on to beat winless Netherlands 9-6 in the evening – but only thanks to a triple in the final end.

"Crazy day!" exclaimed Swiss skip Peter de Cruz. "We played against two teams that played a lot better than most of the teams we've played until now.

"So, we're a little surprised. We were more or less in control the whole game, but it was always like 'when is the big end going to come?'

"We had to wait until the last end with an almost impossible shot – it was close."

Elsewhere in the day's afternoon session there was a 9-7 win for Japan against Norway, sealed with a shot against the hammer in the final end, while Scotland beat the Netherlands 9-5 to make up for their earlier loss to Switzerland.

And in the evening Italy inflicted another defeat on Russia with a 9-5 beating, while the USA edged past Japan with a single in the first extra end to take a 7-6 victory.

The wins for Italy and USA set up a three-way tie for fourth in the standings with Japan, behind unbeaten Canada at the top and Switzerland and Sweden – tied for second on six wins and one loss.

Behind that all of China, Norway and Scotland have narrow losing records with three wins and four losses, before Germany round out the top ten with two victories from seven matches.

The Netherlands and Russia complete the 12-team table with neither rink managing a win from their seven matches to date – the all-important head-to-head coming in Wednesday's afternoon session.

Sportsbeat 2017