indiana wrote:

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Even in hindsight, I personally still think Evo made the right choice with more likelihood of just the competitive grinding matches he needed at this time.

But I can see the alternative view.

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It didn't go well these 3 weeks, but it could have just as easily gone well.

- Just missing out on being seeded, then arguably an unlucky opening match in tournament 1 against his arch nemesis (the higher ranked) Bradley Klahn: very close for 2 sets but just pipped

- A good win against a higher ranked player in tournament 2 followed by his "gale, blisters and onset of toothache" affected match (which he ought to have won comfortably, but may well have struggled next round anyway given his dental issues)

- A loss against a similarly ranked player in tournament 3, possibly still a little affected from his tooth extraction.

There were plenty of decent points on offer, and the fields weren't really much stronger than in the 3 N American he entered pre US Open, where Dan excelled. Anyway it happened, he seems in decent mood and whether on not he has the opportunity to play qualies or get a WC in an ATP next week - his goals could still be achieved by 2 or 3 stonking tournaments in Asia. Unlikely but not impossible - certainly more likely than qualifying for the US Open then beating Nishikori and Tomic!