NATIONAL SPORTS REPORT

A Leeds fan was arrested and handed a lifetime ban by the club after shoving Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, pictured, during their English Premier League game on Saturday. Howe didn’t appear to be hurt in the incident in the third minute of stoppage time in an emotionally charged 2-2 draw at Elland Road. “He confronted me, he said something that I can’t repeat, then he’s led away,” Howe said. “I’m OK. Moments like that do make you think — the safety of staff and players is paramount for me at any matches in the Premier League and Football League. We need to be mindful, security is so important.” The spectator trespassed into the technical area and initially grabbed Howe by his left arm, then jabbed at him and pushed him high in the chest. Howe looked shocked and appeared to shout something at the intruder, who was quickly led away by security as other members of Newcastle’s security staff complained. Leeds said later the man was arrested and banned. “I don’t know if I had time to be fearful because it was over in a flash but it certainly makes you think, ‘What if ?’” Howe said.

Carlos Alcaraz will reclaim the No. 1 ranking after beating Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-4, 6-1 in his Italian Open debut on Saturday. Alcaraz will pass Novak Djokovic for the top spot when the rankings are next published on May 22 — ensuring he will get the No. 1 seeding at the French Open, which starts on May 28. Alcaraz double-faulted to hand Ramos-Vinolas a break of his serve in the opening game of the match but quickly recovered and used his well-disguised drop shot to set up the key break at the end of the first set. Alcaraz produced nearly three times as many winners as Ramos-Vinolas, 28-11, despite slow conditions on a rainy day at the Foro Italico. Coming off titles in Barcelona and Madrid, Alcaraz extended his winning streak to 12 matches and improved to 20-1 on clay this year. In other second-round matches, sixth-seeded Andrey Rublev beat Alex Molcan 6-3, 6-4; J.J. Wolf eliminated 14th-seeded Hubert Hurkacz 6-3, 6-4; and Borna Coric rallied past Thiago Monteiro 4-6, 7-6 (8), 7-6 (5). Alcaraz will next face Jiri Lehecka or Hungarian qualifier Fabian Marozsan.