China defeated Sweden at the Curling World Cup grand final in Beijing ©World Curling Federation

World champions Sweden fell foul of China in the opening round of the men's event at the Curling World Cup grand final in Beijing.

China, led by skip Zou Qiang, narrowly defeated Team Niklas Edin 7-6 at Shougang Arena.

"Sweden are the best team in the world and this game was really tough, so we’re happy with our first win in the strong field," said Zou.

Canada's Team Kevin Koe were also subject to an upset, losing 6-2 to a Swiss side led by Yannick Schwaller.

The mixed doubles competition proved just as dramatic, with Russian duo Maria Komarova and Daniil Goriachev producing an extraordinary 8-7 comeback to stun 2017 world champions, Jenny Perret and Martin Rios of Switzerland.

The hosts delighted the home crowd with a victory against the US at the Curling World Cup grand final in Beijing ©World Curling Federation
The hosts delighted the home crowd with a victory against the US at the Curling World Cup grand final in Beijing ©World Curling Federation

Swiss team-mates Michele Jaeggi and Sven Michel were also unable to register a victory, losing 8-5 to Sarah Anderson and Korey Dropkin of the United States. 

In the women's event, Jennifer Jones skipped her Canadian team to a 10-1 thrashing of Japan's Team Satsuki Fujisawa.

The home side, led by Yilun Jiang, then delighted the crowd by easily beating the United States 9-2, before Olympic champion Anna Hasselborg saw her side narrowly defeated by South Korea's Team Minji Kim 5-4.

Competition continues tomorrow.