Olympic Short Takes: Rich pickings for Hsing

The US teenager Ariel Hsing, 16, advanced to the second round of the table tennis after a 4-0 victory over the Mexican Yadira Silva yesterday, which will please two very famous fans of hers: the two richest men in

America, Warren Buffett and Bill Gates. Hsing got to know the pair, worth around

$100 billion combined, after Hsing played at Buffet's 75th birthday when she was nine, and they have kept up the friendship. "Being at the Olympics puts you under extra pressure but I think I performed pretty well," Hsing said of her win.

Sock-er tribute for Krieger

US women's footballer Megan Rapinoe celebrated her goal in the comprehensive 3-0 quarter-final win over Colombia yesterday by reaching into her sock and pulling out a birthday note for injured team-mate, Ali Krieger, the defender who is missing the Olympics after suffering a knee injury during a qualifying match. A kind gesture, but surely Krieger would rather be celebrating her birthday at the Games.

Isner largely happy in the end

In the tennis, Court Two served up a classic big versus little contest yesterday as 5ft 6in Belgian Olivier Rochus took on 6ft 9in American John Isner. Isner prevailed, winning in straight sets, but he was less than complimentary about the court, which SW19 ground staff had under three weeks to get ready after Wimbledon. "I thought the court was too slick," the 27-year-old, who hit a whopping 24 aces in the match said. "For a big guy like me it makes it tough."

King is forced to silence the cheers

"Home" does not always mean "advantage". Mary King, competing in the dressage, had to ask the crowd to be quiet for the benefit of her horse. "I knew if they all cheered and roared, Imperial Cavalier would have exploded and I would have found it hard to ride the test."

Such has been the demand for tickets for the Games, events such as equestrianism have seen curiously large crowds visit – there were up to 20,500 in Greenwich's temporary stadium for the dressage yesterday.

"In this country it would be considered a big crowd," said the London 2012 equestrian sport manager Tim Hadaway. "There are big shows in Europe, but this country has never really had a venue that size."

While Hadaway is pleased with the turn-out, other riders have voiced their displeasure, including Australia's Christopher Burton, who said it was "always difficult" for the horses in those noisier conditions, and the Frenchman Denis Mesples, who said his mount was "nervous".

Twitter treats

Good to see & feel the Excel venue today. Excellent Arena for Judo. Can't wait until Monday to compete.

Sarah Clark, GB judo

Overwhelmed by people behind me & our team...here & Earls Court. I loved buzz today. World Champs tough but gud stuff

Maria Bertelli, GB volleyball

Into the dining hall now! Who will we see tonight? Breakfast with Luis Suarez already! Well I saw him at the toaster! It counts.

James Tindall, GB hockey

Back of to the pool to watch the women's 400 medley final and cheer on team GB!! :) #letshaveit

Aimee Willmott, GB swimmer