Fujisawa fends off Lawes to clinch playoff spot at KIOTI National
ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — Japan’s Team Satsuki Fujisawa advanced to the playoffs in the KIOTI National following a 5-4 victory over Canada’s Team Kaitlyn Lawes during Draw 13 Friday morning.
Fujisawa held the hammer in the final end and connected on an open hit to secure the win and qualify for the quarterfinals with a 3-1 record.
Lawes, from Winnipeg, was eliminated from playoff contention at 1-3.
Elsewhere in Draw 13, Sweden’s Team Anna Hasselborg is all tuned up for the playoffs after defeating Switzerland’s Team Xenia Schwaller 9-5.
Hasselborg came from behind, down 5-3, scoring four in the sixth end and stealing two in the seventh to take an unblemished 4-0 record into the quarterfinals.
KIOTI NATIONAL: DRAW SCHEDULE / RESULTS | STANDINGS | BROADCAST SCHEDULE
In men’s play, Team John Shuster of the United States punched a playoff ticket with an 8-5 extra-end victory over Winnipeg’s Team Matt Dunstone.
Shuster, who entered the tournament as the 16th and final seed, moved on with a 3-1 record while Dunstone was eliminated at 1-3.
It’s the first time Team Shuster has qualified for the playoffs in a Grand Slam of Curling event since the 2019 Tour Challenge.
Norway’s Team Magnus Ramsfjell ended on a high note by defeating Scotland’s Team James Craik 6-4. Both clubs finished with 1-3 records.
UP NEXT
Round-robin play continues with Draw 14 at noon p.m. NT / 10:30 a.m. ET. Watch live on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
Live streaming of every game is available on free preview via HomeTeam.
NOTES
The KIOTI National is the third Grand Slam of Curling event of the season featuring 16 of the top men’s teams and 16 of the top women’s teams from around the world. … The top eight teams in both divisions advance to Saturday’s quarterfinals. If necessary, one tiebreaker draw will be played Saturday morning to determine the final playoff spots. … The semifinals are also scheduled for Saturday with both finals on tap Sunday.
