Roth's rink, comprised of the skip, Tabitha Peterson, Aileen Geving and Becca Hamilton, overcame the team led by Sinclair 6-5 in an extra end at the Baxter Arena in Omaha.

They were made to work hard for their victory in the first of the three match play-off series which will determine the US women's rink at next year's Olympic Games in Pyeongchang.

The team led by Sinclair, featuring Alex Carlson, Vicky Persinger and Monica Walker, pushed their compatriots all the way but fell short after they made errors in the extra end.

"It’s a great feeling especially since this was their opportunity to have hammer," said Roth. 

"I think we played it really well and next time we’ll get to start with hammer so we’ll have that advantage. 

"I’m looking forward to pushing it again tomorrow."

Heath McCormick's rink won the opening match in the men's play-off against Olympic bronze medallist John Shuster.

McCormick's team, including Chris Plys, Korey Dropkin and Tom Howell, produced a dominant performance to claim a 5-3 win and move 1-0 up in the series.

McCormick out-shot three-time Olympian Shuster, whose team also includes Tyler George, Matt Hamilton and John Landsteiner, 91 per cent to 71 per cent to inspire his rink to victory.

"We play in tournaments all the time when it’s win or go home," said Shuster.

"Our team has been extremely resilient in those times when we’ve been down and rattled off plenty of wins with our backs against the wall."

The play-offs in the men's and women's tournaments continue tomorrow.