Is there any way to arrange an automatic entry if we know we won't be available during the window?

I'll try and set up a 'blind 'entry form tonight.

thanks

No, I started to do it then remembered how much of a pain it was to 'translate' the entries last time we did it and how few people actually took advantage of it. So I've got a better idea:

If you won't be around on Saturday

If any regular entrants won't be around on Saturday but don't want to miss the chance to defend or gain some ranking points, I don't mind if you pm instructions to someone else this time so that they can enter for you.

For example:

- Nole to beat Rafa in the Final
- Duckboy and Potty to reach the semis
- Verdasco to reach the QFs
- Hewitt to reach the QFs
- Higher seed to win any match between seeds
- 1st-named player to win any match between non-seeds

Please don't make the instructions too complicated and please don't pm Bethan or me since we won't have time to do entries for other people and please check with the person you intend to pm first that they are happy to do your entry!

The person doing the proxy entry should:

- put the name of the person they are doing the entry for in the player name field
- pick the same team and country as the entrant usually plays for
- put "proxy entry by <your name>" in the email field
- work through the instructions and if two instructions conflict, give precedence to the first one (e.g. if in the example above, it turns out that Hewitt would have to play Rafa in the L16 so can't reach the QFs, have Hewitt going out in the L16 instead)

If you want to offer your services as a proxy, feel free to post here!

Q v Q matches

As you know, we will all have to make our picks before qualifiers are placed. In a change from usual, everyone will be assumed to get Q v Q matches right, so whether you pick the first-named or second-named player, your tick will be automatically switched to the correct winner, with that winner counting for you in future rounds if you picked the winner of that match to carry on winning and the actual winner does so.

OK count PM your instructions and your personal details and I will do my best.

NB. I only feel able to do this one though.

Entries for the Shanghai Masters BOTB pick 'em contest are now open at http://www.britishtennis.net/Competitions.html - it is unclear whether the main draw starts at 04.00 GMT or 06.00 GMT tomorrow - the ATP BC implies the latter, other sources the former - so assume 04.00 GMT (5 am UK, midnight tonight US EDT) for now, but I'll send the usual emails to those who requested them and confirm the deadline once tomorrow's OoP comes out.