Scotland knocked out curling worlds by holders Canada
Scotland have been knocked out of the World Women's Curling Championship after losing 10-4 to reigning champions Canada at the play-off stage in South Korea.Sophie Jackson's rink, ranked 19th in the world, had beaten the world number ones in their opening round-robin game - one of only two matches Canada lost on their way to finishing third in the table.But two-time champion Rachel Homan's rink established early control in the play-off after scoring four at the second end.Another three at the fourth set them up for a victory with two ends to spare.The Scots had finished sixth in the round robin with seven victories and five defeats, their finish at least ensuring that a Great Britain rink will be represented at next year's Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.However, it is Canada who progress to Saturday's semi-final against hosts South Korea. Gim Eun-ji's 10th-ranked rink qualified directly for the last four after finishing second in the round robin with the same lost 10, won two record as Canada but having beaten the holders 11-7 earlier in the week.There was an upset in the other play-off as two-time silver medallist Anna Hasselborg's third-ranked Swedes, who finished fourth in the round robin, were beaten 8-7 by China.Wang Rui's rink, ranked 17th in the world, progress to face Silvana Tirinzoni's four-time champions from Switzerland, the second seeds who topped the round-robin and whose only defeat came against Canada.
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