Correction

In Tuesday’s edition, a story on the Suburban League cross country race at McDonald featured a pair of incorrect spellings for names.

The correct spellings of the names were Evan Soltesz and Jayton Mooney.

Alcaraz fights through at US Open

NEW YORK — Carlos Alcaraz was cruising along in the U.S. Open’s third round, leading by a set and a break after taking 10 of the first 14 games in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday, when an awkward step while striking a forehand caused an issue with his right knee.

The No. 2-seeded Alcaraz, who won the first of his five Grand Slam titles at Flushing Meadows in 2022, got broken for the first time in the tournament, then took a medical timeout and had his leg massaged by a trainer. Problem solved: Alcaraz rolled through the rest of the match, never dropping another game, and beat No. 32 Luciano Darderi 6-2, 6-4, 6-0.

It was the first, brief hint of any trouble for the 22-year-old Alcaraz this week — well, other than the hair-cutting mistake by his brother that led to a shaved head.

He didn’t let teasing from Frances Tiafoe about that bother him, and Alcaraz didn’t seem too concerned about what went on with his knee against Darderi, a 23-year-old Italian who was making his debut as a seed at a major.

“I just felt something that was not working good in the knee, but after five, six points, it was gone,” Alcaraz said, describing the visit from the trainer as precautionary. “I’m going to talk with my team, but I’m not worried about it.”

Other than that blip, his play was terrific in the 1-hour, 44-minute match.

He delivered 31 winners to just 12 unforced errors and won 70 of the 105 points that lasted four shots or fewer.

“It’s too bad that I ran into Carlos in the third round, because right now it’s impossible to play against Jannik (Sinner) or Carlos. They are the two whose level is above everyone else’s,” Darderi said. “Everyone knew going into today that my chances were not the highest.”

Alcaraz, who faces Arthur Rinderknech in the fourth round, improved his career Grand Slam record to 80-13. Only Boris Becker, Bjorn Borg and Rafael Nadal were younger — by a month or two — when they got their 80th match win at majors.

What else happened at the US Open on Friday?

The 82nd-ranked Rinderknech reached the fourth round at a Slam for the first time by defeating Benjamin Bonzi 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2. Bonzi had won both of his first two matches in five sets, including in a wild one against 2021 U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev, who was fined $42,500 by the tournament for his meltdown after play was delayed when a photographer wandered onto the court. Emma Raducanu’s best run at Flushing Meadows since her 2021 trophy ended with a 6-1, 6-2 loss to No. 9 Elena Rybakina.

Who is on Today’s schedule at the US Open?

Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, Naomi Osaka and Jannik Sinner are among the players scheduled to play on Saturday as the third round wraps up.

Dolphins’ LB on leave after arrest

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins placed outside linebackers coach Ryan Crow on leave after, according to Broward County Jail records, he was arrested Friday morning and charged with domestic battery.

According to the probable cause statement by the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Crow got into an argument with someone he lives with and shoved the person. The victim declined to offer a formal statement to police and said they were not injured.

Two witnesses, however, told police that Crow was the aggressor, with one saying the “victim looked terrified.”

The other witness said Crow stopped his actions once he noticed people were watching the confrontation and then went back to his apartment.

“We are aware of the serious matter involving Ryan Crow and currently gathering more information,” the Dolphins said in a statement. “Ryan has been placed on administrative leave effective immediately. We have been in communication with the NFL and will reserve further comment at this time.”

Crow, 37, is in his second season coaching outside linebackers with the Dolphins. He held the same position with the Tennessee Titans the three prior years.

Patriots release S Jabrill Peppers

The New England Patriots released safety Jabrill Peppers Friday, marking the latest shakeup of the team’s roster under new coach Mike Vrabel.

The 29-year-old Peppers, who was entering his fourth year in New England, made the Patriots’ initial 53-man roster and was expected to start alongside Kyle Dugger in the Patriots secondary in their revamped defense.

Instead, Peppers’ departure is the latest turn away from holdover players and contracts that were dolled out under former coaches Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo.

Cornerback Jonathan Jones and defensive tackle Deatrich Wise weren’t re-signed this offseason, and receiver Kendrick Bourne and offensive lineman Cole Strange were both recently cut.

Peppers signed an extension in July 2024 after posting a combined 138 total tackles and two interceptions over the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

But he appeared in just six games last season after he was arrested on assault and battery charges in October 2024. He was accused of grabbing a woman by the neck, slamming her against the wall and pushing her down the stairs.

Peppers missed seven games after being placed on the commissioner’s exempt list following the alleged incident. He was then acquitted in January in the assault case.

The Patriots signed Peppers to an extension in the summer of 2024. Peppers was originally drafted by Cleveland in 2017 and spent two seasons with the Cleveland Browns before playing for the New York Giants for three seasons.