Alberta’s Kevin Martin falls to Quebec, leaving host team 0-2

EDMONTON – Alberta’s Kevin Martin lost his second game in a row to open the Tim Hortons Brier.

Quebec’s Jean-Michel Menard doubled the host team 8-4 in the Sunday morning draw. Martin’s Edmonton foursome is one of the favourites at the Canadian men’s curling championship, but fell in an extra end to Manitoba in their first game of the tournament Saturday evening.

Team Alberta will face British Columbia Sunday evening at 6:30.

Quebec joins Brad Gushue of Newfoundland and Labrador, Northern Ontario’s Brad Jacobs, Manitoba’s Jeff Stoughton and Ontario’s Glenn Howard all at 2-0.

Saskatchewan’s Brock Virtue and Jamie Koe of the Territories are tied at 1-1.

Alberta, New Brunswick’s James Grattan, Nova Scotia’s Paul Flemming, B.C.’s Andrew Bilesky and Prince Edward Island’s Eddie MacKenzie are winless with two draws remaining in the day.

Northern Ontario downed B.C. 9-3, Ontario defeated Saskatchewan 7-5 and Manitoba beat Nova Scotia 9-4 in the morning draw.