Sweden are out to win a medal in this event for the sixth games in a row, a run which began in 2006, the last time Italy qualified a women's team, also as host nation.
But after Sweden took the first end 1-0, a potential upset looked on the cards when Italy finished the second end lying two to go 2-1 up.
A perfect draw into a crowded house from skip Anna Hasselborg saw Sweden hit right back with two of their own to lead 3-2 after three ends, but the Italians would not budge, and a well-judged take-out from Stefania Constantini saw the lead swing back to the hosts after four.
But anything Constantini could do, Hasselborg could do too, responding with a take-out of her own at the end of the fifth to give Sweden another two points and a 5-4 advantage.
However, a crucial miss at the end of end six allowed Sweden to extend their lead by a point, before Italy only managed to gain one point as they kept the hammer in the next end.
The final three ends saw both teams earn a point each when they had they hammer, meaning Sweden had ground out an 8-6 victory against the outsiders.
Sweden are the only side with four wins from four, and the next side to challenge their perfect record will be Great Britain on Sunday.