Curling: Jones wins opening match against Finland at women’s world championship

SAPPORO, JAPAN— Olympic champion Jennifer Jones opened the world women’s curling championship Saturday with a 9-6 victory over Finland’s Sanna Puustinen at the Tsukisamu Gymnasium.

It was a challenge for the Winnipeg skip, who stole a deuce in the 10th end for the win.

“We struggled a little bit with the ice, but a win’s a win and we found a way to win the game,” Jones said. “We’ll have to be sharper (Sunday).”

Jones, third Kaitlyn Lawes, second Jill Officer and lead Dawn McEwen scored two in the first end and led 5-2 at the midway point. Finland came back with three in the sixth end and sat two with the hammer in the 10th. Lawes responded with a hit-and-roll behind cover, though, and that set up Canada’s steal. Puustinen’s shot rubbed on a guard to force an extra end.

“She made a big shot when she had to, and she always does,” Jones said of Lawes, who is making her world championship debut. “That was the thing about this game: When someone missed — and we did have a few too many misses out there — the next person would pick up and make a good shot, and that’s what it’s all about.”

Canada has never lost to Finland at the world championship. Jones will have a tough challenge Sunday against 2013 world champion Eve Muirhead of Scotland and four-time silver medallist Margaretha Sigfridsson of Sweden. Jones beat Sigfridsson to win gold at Sochi.

“We’re playing two amazing teams that we have a ton of respect for,” said Jones.

Switzerland’s Alina Patz and China’s Sijia Liu both posted a pair of vic- tories to top the standings after two draws. Russia and Scotland were tied with Canada at 1-0.

Canada hasn’t won gold at the women’s worlds since Jones in 2008 with Cathy Overton-Clapham at third. Lawes replaced Overton-Clapham in 2010.

Jones, a five-time national champion, made her world championship debut in 2005 and finished second in 2010.