THANKS to the many readers - many does mean two, right?
- who responded to our request for ideas about which Scots should be invited to the Royal Box if Andy Murray makes it to the final on Sunday. We don't want to give too much away, because negotiations with the All England Club are at a delicate stage, but let's just say it will be no surprise if Barry Ferguson's invitation arrives through the post any day now. There has been some lobbying on behalf of Leigh Griffiths, too, though there is surely no truth in the rumour that he is refusing to come unless the traditional tea-time strawberries and cream are replaced by Tunnock's tea cakes.
MEANWHILE, even more England rugby players turned up in the Box yesterday, as if to taunt us. There were four male players past and present on Saturday: yesterday it was the turn of the women, with Emma Croker, Ceri Large and La Toya Mason representing their team. Sirs Steve Redgrave and Michael Parkinson turned up too, and last time we looked they weren't Scottish either. We've got to keep up the pressure on this one.
ANNA Brogan and Maia Lumsden, two wee lassies who were brought up playing tennis in and around Glasgow, provide the feelgood story of the tournament by dumping the No 1 and No 3 seeds out of the girls competiton. They have both spent time in Bradenton, Florida, this year, although Brogan practises on public courts and Lumsden has been in the plush environs of the IMG academy. They don't socialise that much though. "I think they have her locked up in there," says Brogan.
AH, the perils of a 5-a-side kickabout. Andy Murray sympathises with the football injury which threatens to keep his pal Rory McIlroy out of the Open at St Andrews. But then, boys will be boys. "I sometimes play football," said the Scot, who was actually pictured doing keepy-uppies with a tennis ball at practice yesterday. "But I always play with ankle braces and stuff in case, you know, something happens." A 50/50 between him and Novak Djokovic would be tasty.
NICK Kyrgios hugs a ball boy during his defeat against Richard Gasquet. It is uncertain who wanted the hug more. "I just felt like a hug, I guess," said Kyrgios. "Everyone now and then wants a hug. I felt he embraced me a little bit."
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