VERNON, B.C. -- USA's Debbie McCormick kept pace atop the standings here at the 2008 Ford World Womens Curling Championship Monday morning with a gritty 9-7 win over Scotland's Gail Munro.

Trailing 4-1, McCormick scored three in the fifth end to send the game to the break tied 4-4. The two teams traded singles and then deuces through the next four ends before the 2003 world champion from Wisconsin sealed the deal in the tenth end with a game-winning deuce.

McCormick, who was also a worlds runner-up in 2006, is widely considered one of the leading contenders here this week and the victory improved her team's record to 3-1.

That's just behind an idle Canada, who head into a game against Italy on the afternoon draw in second place at 3-0.

An upstart Chinese rink continues to be the biggest surprise of these worlds. China's Bingyu Wang improved to a perfect 4-0 Monday morning  with a 9-8 win over Denmark's Angelina Jensen.

China took an 8-6 lead with a three-ender in the ninth end, but the Danes stormed right back with a game-tying deuce in the tenth end. But it was China who had the last word, scoring one with the hammer in the extra end to eke out the narrow victory. The loss dropped Denmark to 2-2.

In other games Monday morning, Sweden edged Japan 6-5 and Russia was upset by Italy 5-4. Sweden and Japan are now 2-2, while Russia and Italy are 1-3.

In other games Monday afternoon,  Denmark plays Czech Republic, Jopan plays Switzerland and USA plays Germany.

-30-