Maria's March To Perfection!

IMG Media Archive's March Newsletter

MARIA'S MARCH TO PERFECTION!

Cricket: The Indian Premier League (IPL) action got underway with huge excitement in Mumbai recently with 75 of the world’s best players being auctioned for a total of $42m from 8 different franchises. MS Dhoni sold for $1.5m with Andrew Symonds reaching $1.35m as the Indian entrepreneurs, Bollywood actors & other franchise owners stretched their financial muscles! Whilst franchise v country clashes may become apparent over time, one think is for certain, the IPL has certainly created a huge wave of media interest, focusing on Bangalore on April 18th.

Visit the Cricket Archive Collection

Soccer: Carling Cup Final

Tottenham Hotspur lifted their first silverware for 9 years after victory at Wembley over defending Champions Chelsea, in the first major domestic final of the season. Tottenham Manager Juande Ramos is no stranger to cup finals having previously lifted the UEFA cup twice, the Copa del Rey & the UEFA Super Cup all with Seville, but will have been pleased to lift the trophy in his first English final. Spurs went behind to a 38th minute Didier Drogba free-kick, but a calmly taken penalty from Dimitar Berbatov and a slightly fortunate header from recent signing Jonathon Woodgate in the 3rd minute of extra time, proved enough to see Spurs home and spark wild celebrations in half of North London.

Visit the Soccer Archive Collection

Tennis

Maria Sharapova’s perfect season continued in Doha as she lifted the WTA Tour’s Qatar Total Open, defeating compatriot Vera Zvonareva 6-1, 2-6, 6-0. Sharapova was the only top 4 seed to make it through to the Semi’s, with several big names including Svetlana Kuznetsova, Anna Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic & Venus Williams all going home early . The victory means Sharapova is now unbeaten in 14 matches in 2008 following her injury hit 2007.

Visit the Tennis Archive collection

FAST FACT

Tiger Woods is dominating golf to such an extent, that the gap between the World No.1 and his closest rival Phil Mickelson is greater than at any other point in golf history.

DID YOU KNOW

Jonny Wilkinson is the first English player to have broken the 1,000 international points barrier, and with his 29th drop goal in the recent France v England game, has become the world record holder for international drop goals!

UPCOMING EVENTS IN MARCH

1	Rodeo	Pro Bull Riders BFTS Baltimore Invitational, USA
2	Cricket	Commonwealth Bank Series, 1st Final, AUS v IND
4	Cricket	Commonwealth Bank Series, 2nd Final, AUS v IND
5 - 9	Cricket	1st Test, New Zealand v England
6 - 9	Golf	PGAET Maybank Malaysian Open
7	Cricket	Commonwealth Bank Series, 3rd Final, AUS v IND
7 - 9	Ice-Skating	ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships, KOR
8	Mixed Martial Arts	Pro Elite Cage Rage Championships 25, ENG
8 - 9	Rodeo	Pro Bull Riders BFTS Cabelas Classic, USA
9 - 13	Fashion	Mercedes Benz Los Angeles Fashion Week
10 - 23	Tennis	ATP Masters Series Indian Wells, USA
13 - 16	Golf	PGAET Ballantines Championship, KOR
13 - 17	Cricket	2nd Test, New Zealand v England
14	Rodeo	Pro Bull Riders BFTS Portland Invitational, USA
15 -16	Ice-Skating	ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Team Championships, CHN
16	Soccer	CIS Insurance Cup Final: Dundee Utd v Glasgow Rangers, SCO
17- 23	Ice-Skating	ISU World Figure Skating Championships, SWE
18 - 29	Surfing	ASP Rip Curl Pro, AUS
19 - 24	Surfing	ASP Women's Rip Curl Pro, AUS
20 - 23	Golf	PGAET Madeira Islands Open, POR
20 - 23	Golf	WGC WGC - CA Championship, USA
22 - 26	Cricket	3rd Test, New Zealand v England
26 - 06	Tennis	WTA Sony Ericsson Open, USA
26 - 06	Tennis	ATP Masters Series Miami, USA
27 - 30	Golf	PGAET Open de Andalucia, SPA
28 - 30	Rodeo	Pro Bull Riders BFTS Sandia Resort & Casino presents the Ty Murray Invitational, USA
28 - 30	Skating	ISU World Synchronised Skating Championships, HUN