Reigning Canadian champion Brad Jacobs defeated Italy's Joel Retornaz 5-4 on Thursday morning at the Players' Championship in Toronto.

Jacobs, who threw at a game-low 70 per cent, scored a single in the eighth end for the win.

The world bronze medallist is playing with a substitute front end this week of Connor Njegovan at lead and Tyler Tardi at second.

Germany's Marc Muskatewitz edged Scotland's Ross Whyte 5-4 and Japan's Satsuki Fujisawa topped South Korea's Eunji Gim 6-5.

In the other early game, Canada's Kerri Einarson beat Switzerland's Xenia Schwaller 8-5.

Three more draws were scheduled for later in the day at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. Play continues through Sunday at the season-ending Grand Slam of Curling event.

WATCH | Jacobs earns world championsip bronze:

Canada claims bronze medal with win over China at world curling championships

Brad Jacobs and his Canadian rink crushed China 11-2 to take the bronze medal at the world curling championships in Moose Jaw, Sask.