Going for double digits at the Players'

While the Grand Slam of Curling has only been around since the early part of the third millennium, the Players' Championship, the final jewel is grand slam crown that is currently being contested, has been around, at least for the men, for close to two decades.
Looking at the list of winners and runners-up shows that over the years there is one man, above all else, who has been dominant at this event — Kevin Martin (big surprise).
In the previous 16 Players' Championships, Martin has been in the final more than a half of the time — nine times to be precise.
Martin won the Players' five times — 1994, '98, 2000, '05 and '07 — and lost the final four times — 2001, '04, '06 and '08.
So this year, despite Sunday's stunning loss in Moncton, Martin is aiming to make it an unprecedented 10 finals. And judging from Tuesday night's opening round whupping of Pat Simmons of Moose Jaw — Martin scored six in the first en route to a four-end 9-3 win — he's in good shape to get there.