I think one of the problems with trying to play challengers all the time is that if you are stuck in qualifying you have to work very hard for what is often little reward. This event is a classic example. Evo has won 3 matches (2 against higher ranked players) and all he gets for it are 5 points, and yes I know he has a chance to go and get more but that really isn't the point. He would have got 6 points for beating 3 lowly ranked players in a 10K futures. Had he lost yesterday he would have played 3 matches in 3 days (getting one pretty good win) and would not have received a single ranking point or a penny piece in prize money. It isn't hard to see why some players will play it safe and stick with futures.
Yes, that's all very true - that's why I said it would be an easier plan to carry out (I should have said easier plan to justify) once his ranking is high enough to get him into main draws without having to qualify.
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GB on a shirt, Davis Cup still gleaming, 79 years of hurt, never stopped us dreaming ... 29/11/2015 that dream came true!