Australian Open Day 14: Match of the Day

The men's finals featuring Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

This is the 30th meeting between these two.

The stats show that Djokovic has not lost to Nadal since the end od 2011 at the ATP Finals.

They played last year at Wimbledon, they played last year at the U.S. Open.  All won by Djokovic.

I see Djokovic winning again in this one.

He wins the big points and raises his games at the right moments.  Nadal has had an extra day's rest, but the way the courts are playing and the way the tennis has gone.  Look for Djokovic to win in 4 tough sets.

Australian Open Day 6: Match of the Day

Andy Murray vs. Michael Llodra

Murray and Llodra take the court for a night match on Hisense.

The Scot owns the career edge 2-0, but these two haven't played since the U.S. Open in 2008.  Murray will try and do what he has been doing in previous matches; constructing the points and waiting for the right time to be aggressive.

Llodra is a cagey vet who will look to take the net and make Murray hot passing shots.

I like Murray, but I have a feeling about this match being closer than most think it will be.

Murray wins in 4 tough sets.

Australian Open Day 2: Match of the Day

Maria Kirilenko vs. Jarmila Gajdosova

This is a tough draw for both players.  Kirilenko comes into the event ranked #29 and Gajdosova #39.

They have played once before and that was last year at Madrid.  Gajdosova won in a tiebreaker in the 3rd set, and I expect it to be just as close this time around.

This could be a make or break year for Kirilenko, will she move intothe upper echelon on women's tennis or will she remain in the upper 20's to 30's? 

One thing we know about Gajdosova is she doesn't get cheated on her swings at the ball.  Like a homerun hitter in baseball, she takes her cuts.  If she keeps the ball in play and stays mentally tough she has a good chance.  I like the consistency of Kirilenko to pull it out 6-4 in the third.

Starbucks Upping Prices

Starbucks is raising prices by an average of about 1 percent in the U.S. Northeast and Sunbelt regions on Tuesday, a move affecting cities such as New York, Boston, Washington DC, Atlanta, Dallas and Albuquerque.

Starbucks expects high prices for things like coffee, milk and fuel to cut into profits this year and along with restaurant operators ranging from Chipotle Mexican Grill to McDonald's Corp -- is raising prices to help offset some of that cost pressure.

In New York City, prices for 12-ounce "tall" brewed coffees and latte drinks each will go up 10 cents. Prices on about a half a dozen other beverages also will increase, Starbucks spokesman Jim Olson told Reporters.

The world's biggest coffee chain raised prices on some drinks in California and South Florida in November. Those regions are not affected by the pricing action.

Olson said the price for a 16-ounce "grande" brewed coffee, Starbucks' most popular beverage, remains the same across the United States and has not changed since January 2011. The price for grande lattes is unchanged in most markets, he added.

The Seattle-based chain has not made across-the-board price increases since 2007, choosing instead to adjust prices on a market-by-market basis.

Starbucks caters to a more affluent customer and last time it raised prices it went without apparent pushback.

The company previously said it expects costs for commodities such as coffee and milk to lower fiscal 2012 earnings by about 21 cents per share.

USTA Australian Open Wildcard Playoffs Kick Off With Media Day

The USTA will be hosting their annual Australian Open Tennis Wildcard Playoffs this weekend outside of Atlanta. 

The event kicked off today with media festivities which I was fortunate enough to participate in.

It included a doubles match with world #84 Irina Falconi as my partner against local sports anchor Sam Crenshaw and his partner in ATP #127 Bobby Reynolds.  Additional press and tennis fans were watching the action and a couple Atlanta news channels were rolling tape.

My serve was rusty, but I hit a nice angle drop volley that Bobby made a great play on, a nice backhand topspin lop for a winner and a forehand down the line winner past Bobby.  Irina was a great partner.

Following the set a half of doubles, the players answered questions at a press conference and ate lunch and talked further with the media.