Brad Gushue, the 2006 Olympic champion making his first World Championship appearance, led the Canadians home at the Northlands Coliseum as round robin play began.

In the seventh end, the skip drew his last stone into the house to score three points which put the home side 6-4 up.

Both sides then traded a point each as Canada saw out the victory.

"It was a really, really challenging sheet of ice," said Gushue. 

"We got some open misses which were very fortunate. 

"Those misses cost them a few points and that was the difference in the game."

There was also a victory for the United States who eased past Russia 9-2, but they were then beaten 7-4 by the Swiss as the countries each played their second contest of the day.

Japan beat Italy 9-5 and Germany edged The Netherlands - who are competing at the event for the first time since 1994 - 6-5 after an extra end.

Germany then met Italy and both teams experienced different fortunes as the latter came through 7-5.

It meant that none of the four sides who played twice on day one managed to win both of their matches. 

Norway proved too strong for Scotland, beating them 9-6, with Sweden starting with a 10-7 win over China.

Round robin play continues tomorrow.