Canada’s Kerri Einarson dropped a 6-5 decision to Japan’s Satsuki Fujisawa at the women’s world curling championship on Thursday.
The Manitoba-based team of Einarson, Val Sweeting, Shannon Birchard and Briane Harris gave up a steal of two in the eighth end, but responded with a deuce in the ninth to tie the game.
Japan earned the game-winning single when Einarson rubbed a guard on a tap attempt in the 10th end.
Canada fell into a third-place tie with Italy’s Stefania Constantini at 6-4. Sweden’s Anna Hasselborg was alone in second place (6-3) behind Switzerland’s Silvana Tirinzoni (9-0).
Canada will play Turkey’s Dilsat Yildiz on Friday before closing out round-robin play against Denmark’s Madeleine Dupont.
The top six rinks in the 13-team field will advance to the playoffs starting Saturday. Medal games are scheduled for Sunday at the Goransson Arena.