By Piers Newbery BBC Sport at Wimbledon

Last-ditch dash for Des

Sir Alex Ferguson enjoys the view from the Royal Box

Des Lynam looked a worried man as he hurried through the All England Club heading for Centre Court.

With play in the women's final just about to start, television's smoothest frontman was still some way from taking his seat.

Guests in the Royal Box included former Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath, film director Ridley Scott and tennis legends Maria Bueno, Virginia Wade and Ann Jones.

Sir Alex Ferguson was also in attendance - maybe Des was fearful of getting the hairdryer treatment.

Britons beaten again

The most prestigious title at Wimbledon was handed out on Saturday, not on Centre Court but at the nearby King George's Park.

An international field of finely tuned athletes squeezed into frighteningly ill-fitting shorts and lined up for the journalist's challenge.

BBC Sport Interactive's Chris Bevan led the British challenge, which typically faltered in the latter stages due to "some dodgy partners".

The remarkable rise of Belgian tennis was confirmed with the title heading across the Channel to the land of Kim, Justine and mayonnaise on chips.

Movie mania

The large gaggle of teenage girls hanging around the press centre was not, as might be expected, hoping for a glimpse of Chris Bevan in shorts.

It was, in fact, the latest symptom of the movie mania sweeping SW19 this year.

After Kirsten Dunst appeared earlier in the week shooting scenes for the forthcoming film "Wimbledon", this time it was Irish "wildman" actor Colin Farrell.

The stars of the Matrix: Reloaded are expected for a game of mixed doubles on Sunday.

Battle of the back pages

Swiss and Australian journalists at Wimbledon's impressive press centre have been working overtime ahead of Sunday's men's final.

"Roger, that was phenomenal!" said daily newspaper Blick after Federer beat Andy Roddick.

Le Matin went for the simple but effective "Enormous!"

And Tages-Anzeiger claimed: "Federer represents a cosmopolitan Switzerland.

"He speaks three languages fluently, is self-confident in public and has a reputation as a fair sportsman."

On the other side of the world, the Sydney Daily Telegraph headline read: "Mark of a Champion."

And the Sydney Morning Herald said: "Mark Philippoussis did not merely win his first Wimbledon semi-final.