Japan strike late to go two from two in Canada

Both the hosts and Japan had enjoyed victories in their opening matches, making it two from two on day two with only Norway and Sweden in with a chance of joining them with early 100 per cent records.

Japan's victory was to come in rather dramatic circumstances too, trailing 7-5 at the end of the seventh end against a Netherlands side who had lost their opener against Germany in an extra end.

The eighth end saw Japan clear out two Dutch stones, with that in turn seeing them take a vital four points on their way to a 9-6 success.

"That was a good game. That was a good shot for four in the eighth and if you make a great shot like that you always feel good," said skip Yusuke Morozumi. "Now we've got momentum but now we need to get ready for the next game."

Momentum is certainly also a factor for Canada, recovering from their shaky start on the first day to take another victory, this time in more comfortable fashion against Russia.

The fourth end undoubtedly proved the turning point as skip Brad Gushue cleared away the Russian stones to not only take two for his side, but also put Canada into an 8-2 advantage.

From there they never looked back, closing out an assured 11-3 victory with the margin of victory in some ways much more of a positive than the success itself.

Gushue said: "I think it's a bit of a confidence boost after yesterday the first five ends we struggled pretty bad and I think after the last 11 ends we've been playing pretty good."

Sweden will be keen to make it two wins from two themselves when they take on Germany in session four, while Norway will be after the same achievement when they face Switzerland.

Scotland will be eyeing up their first win as they take on the USA, while China are also desperate to get off the mark, facing Italy in the same session.

Sportsbeat 2017