From the Baseline: Popular press fails to help Murray

The Association of Tennis Professionals, keen to raise Andy Murray's profile, suggested he write a regular column for L'Equipe, the national daily sports newspaper, in the French Open. Bylined "Dandy Murray", the Scot made cosy comments about how he liked French tennis players and footballers.

However, the charm offensive backfired when Murray was booed in his match against Richard Gasquet over his querying of line calls and what Gasquet seemed to think was his play-acting.

When Murray was announced to the crowd before playing David Ferrer there was more barracking. Nevertheless, one Frenchman disagreed. Fabrice Santoro, the former player-turned commentator, asked Murray to sign his copy of L'Equipe. It did after all contain a Dandy Murray column headlined Santoro mon idole.

Sara shows off her fancy footwork

Sara Errani will rise to No 10 in the world rankings this week but the Italian is already world No 1 in keepy-uppy. When the Women's Tennis Association challenged players to show their football skills, Errani had 208 successive touches before the ball hit the ground.

Mum's the word for Games hope Elena

One reason Elena Baltacha is desperate to play in the Olympics is to make up for her mother's disappointment at not making the 1980 Moscow Games. Her father, Sergei, won bronze playing football for the Soviet Union – the Baltachas are from Ukraine – her mother, Olga, a pentathlete, had to stay at home to look after Elena's brother. "It broke her heart," Elena said. "It would mean the world if I make the Games."

p.newman@independent.co.uk