By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer

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 second-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 brothe

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