The Swedes, led by formidable skip Niklas Edin, were involved in a topsy-turvy opener as they fell 3-2 behind to Switzerland before they rallied back to seal a 9-5 success.

They then sat out the afternoon session, returning in the evening to take on a German side without a victory and they simply proved too strong, claiming a comfortable 8-4 win to clinch their third consecutive victory.

"We were kind of nervous going into this event," admitted Edin.

"We will keep talking about how to approach the next game – I think we still need to step it up.

"Everyone can beat everyone on the ice here and you need to be focused on the game.”

Canada were also in impressive form, though they were pushed all the way in their first game of the day against Denmark as the two sides could not be separated after the regulation ends.

They were locked in a fierce battle at 8-8, which forced an extra end and Canada's Kevin Koe hit-out a Danish counter to score three points and win the game 11-8.

The Canadian team, bronze medallists on home ice during last year's event in Halifax, joined Sweden at the top of the leaderboard by edging a hard-fought encounter with the United States 10-9 in the evening session.

Having secured their first win of the tournament in the morning - an 8-3 triumph against Germany - Japan registered their second success, defeating Switzerland 9-6.

Their improved showing on day two moved them on to a two win and one loss record along with Denmark, Scotland, Russia and Norway, last year's runners-up. 

The Norwegians, who suffered a 6-3 reverse at the hands of Scotland, bounced back to beat South Korea 9-6.

Scotland, meanwhile, lost 9-6 to Russia.

Action in Basel is due to continue tomorrow and the top four teams after the initial round-robin stage will qualify for the play-off phase.