The holders ran out comprehensive 9-1 winners over Germany to continue their impressive start to their title defence at the Goransson Arena in Sandviken, Sweden.

Canada moved into second place overall in the standings with a record of four wins and one defeat.

The nation claimed two wins today, with their first a comfortable 7-2 win over Italy, before they edged past Scotland 9-8 in the final session of the day.

Canadian skipper Kerri Einarson was forced to play a tough raise with her final stone to remove two of the three counting Scottish stones and claim a narrow triumph.  

Behind Canada four nations sit on records of three wins and two defeats in Italy, Japan, South Korea and Norway.

Italy claimed a dramatic victory over New Zealand in the final session, winning 6-5 in a match that required an extra end, following on from their loss to Canada earlier in the day.

Japan overcame the US 8-3 before another comfortable 10-3 win over Norway in the final session.

South Korea overcame Scotland 6-4, having come through another tight contest earlier in the day when they beat New Zealand 8-7.

Norway defeated Denmark 7-3, before their loss to Japan in the final session.

New Zealand sit bottom of the overall standings, having lost all five games, although they will be left to reflect on what might have been after their single point losses today against South Korea and Italy.