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NEW YORK -- Roger Federer isnt at the US Open for the first time since 1999. His Swiss countryman, friend and one-time understudy Stan Wawrinka -- himself a veteran of 11 previous pilgrimages to Flushing Meadows -- doesnt miss him at all.Could it be because Wawrinka, who eliminated the dangerous Fernando Verdasco 7-6 (4), 6-4, 6-4?in a first-round match Tuesday, has spent his career living in Federers shadow?Or it might be because the realities of the profession demand that camaraderie be left behind with a used boarding pass once a player arrives at a tournament and begins to compose his game face.More likely, its because Federer has been both a sympathetic ear and obstacle. Practice partner and potential dream wrecker. You cant spell tormentor without the word mentor. Last year, Wawrinka reached the semifinals at the US Open for just the second time. Guess who beat him then?Counting that straight-sets beat down, in which Wawrinka won just eight games, Federer is 5-1 against Wawrinka in Grand Slam meetings. His absence makes Wawrinkas heart grow fonder. After dispatching Verdasco, Wawrinka spoke glowingly of Federer. But only to a point.Its hard for the tournament, for the fans, for the tennis, for everybody, Wawrinka said. Roger is so important for the tennis. Its unfortunate hes injured for the rest of the year. Its not the best for the tournament.Yes, but do you miss him in a more personal way?No.So much for the Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid motif. This is tennis. Welcome to the shark tank.Wawrinkas clash with Verdasco was one of the most compelling matchups of the first round. Both are muscular bruisers who drop anchor at the baseline and swing from the heels. Verdasco, in particular, passes on fanciful forays and considers hitting harder as the option to hitting hard. Both men built reputations as dangerous underachievers through their early 20s. They were long on ka-boom, short on the problem-solving ability, self-control, mental strength and resilience needed to carry a player to major titles.They have a lively history. Verdasco, a year older at 32, led the rivalry 3-2 before this meeting. But Wawrinka, seeded third here and No. 3 in the world rankings, won their only previous Grand Slam meeting in straight sets in 2015 at Wimbledon. Their overall records are surprisingly comparable: Verdasco is 456-330 for his career, Wawrinka, 426-245. Wawrinkas ship finally came in when he won the first of his two Grand Slam singles titles at the Australian Open at age 28 in 2014. Verdascos has yet to arrive. Given his age, its becoming hard to imagine it ever will.It helped the slow learner Wawrinka to have Federer as a friend and paragon. Fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal might have fulfilled a similar role for Verdasco, but while Verdasco climbed as high as No. 7 during Nadals peak years, he never did crack the Grand Slam champions code. Tuesdays match helped illustrate why Verdasco hasnt punched through.Verdasco had three break points in the first set, while Wawrinka rummaged around in his memory looking for his A-game. But Verdasco, ranked No. 46, couldnt convert one. Verdasco began the tiebreaker with a mini-break but promptly lost the next two points, with serve, and would never regain the lead. Wawrinkas game jelled after that. He made just six unforced errors and never gave Verdasco a look at a break point in the second set. Verdasco failed to convert the only break point he had in the final set as well.Wawrinka breathed a great sigh of relief after the win; first rounds against quality opponents always invite anxiety. He was especially happy with the way he moved against a dangerous ball striker who doesnt give his opponents much time or rhythm.I was moving really well for first one, Wawrinka said. Im getting some confidence from that match.He might be getting confidence, but he might not be getting the appropriate measure of respect. Just the other day, 2016 Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic was breaking down the state of the Big Four. He said:Its a little bit spread out. You have Roger, who was always there, unfortunately unable to be playing. ... You have Andy [Murray] and Novak [Djokovic], who have pretty much led the charge of those Big Four -- have been leading it at least throughout this year. Rafa is still one of the most dangerous players on tour. Youve got to navigate your way through.Granted, Wawrinka isnt one of the Big Four. But with Federer out and Nadal wobbly at best, shouldnt he be part of the conversation? Whoever wants to navigate through might find him in the way. 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That left plenty of energy for pitching books and swatting away free agency questions. Anthony had 24 points and nine rebounds, and the Knicks avenged an embarrassing home loss with a rout of their own, beating the Boston Celtics 114-88 on Wednesday night for their third straight victory. PARIS -- Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has urged all French presidential candidates to throw their support behind the capital citys bid to host the 2024 Olympics.Speaking to a group of French senators on Wednesday, Hidalgo said her team has met with all candidates and asked them to build a national unity around the bid.Paris is bidding to host the 2024 Games against Budapest, Rome and Los Angeles. 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