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Alcaraz returns
with a victory
NEW YORK (AP) -- Carlos Alcaraz returned to the U.S. Open and looked healthy enough for a run at a repeat. Alcaraz beat Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, showing no problems with the right wrist injury that had sidelined the 23-year-old Spaniard since April.
Following fellow two-time U.S. Open champion Aryna Sabalenka onto Arthur Ashe Stadium, the No. 2-seeded Alcaraz delivered the all-around game that has made him a fan favorite.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion may quickly become a huge betting favorite with top-ranked Jannik Sinner sidelined by a knee injury and No. 4 Novak Djokovic losing in the first round.
Wright joins
LSU practice
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -- Former Cleveland Browns tight end Dae’Quan Wright joined LSU’s practice under first-year coach Lane Kiffin on Monday. The 11th-ranked Tigers are preparing for Saturday’s season opener against Clemson.
Wright and other former NFL players like Zxavian Harris and Blake Cotton may not end up playing depending on how court challenges go. Kiffin supports bringing in former pros, saying it benefits the team and declaring “this is how the real world works.”
Nearly 400 athletes are suing the NCAA for additional eligibility.
49ers’ Bosa
still sidelined
SANTA CLARA, Cali. (AP) -- The San Francisco 49ers started their final set of practices before leaving to play the season opener in Australia with defensive end Nick Bosa still sidelined and tight end George Kittle ramping up to play.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said before the team took the field Monday for the first of three practices before the team leaves the country that the plan was for both Kittle and Bosa to get on the field for team drills this week to prepare for the opener against the Los Angeles Rams.
But Bosa wasn’t on the field at all for the open portion of practice, while Kittle was participating.
Makar embraces
the pressure
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) -- Defenseman Cale Makar is now the highest-paid player in NHL history after signing a $163.2 million, eight-year extension with the Colorado Avalanche. The two-time Norris Trophy winner embraces the pressure that comes with the deal.
Makar is the first NHL player to sign for more than $20 million a season. He acknowledges the figure won’t stand for long. The Avalanche are in a championship window with Makar and Nathan MacKinnon on the roster.
Joe Sakic, the Hall of Fame forward turned front-office executive, downplayed the notion this could make the Avalanche too top heavy. He says, “you can’t win without superstars.”