In some ways it seems to me to be a logical time for Evans to take a bit more of a break. He has put in a lot of work recently and pretty much guaranteed himself a spot in Aus Open qualies (I think) - that and giving himself the best shot at a DC semi team place (however much it depended on a possible injury) were always obvious targets for him.

Maybe it makes sense for him to take now as an early off season and then look to play his way into form again ready for Australia rather than taking time off over Christmas? ....actually maybe that bit is less likely. But still a good time to reward himself with a rest which he had perhaps decided to do DC week (whilst maybe also motivated slightly by the way it freed him up in case the DC call came).

I'd love to know whether and what Leon Smith said to him before he withdrew from Istanbul!

Maybe his career strategy is just to do as many intriguing things with multiple possible explanations as he possibly can so that one he actually makes it to the peak he should he can release an autobiography and everyone will want to read it to find out what on earth he was thinking when making all these unusual decisions :)

It's been a VERY lean week for our top 500 men - nothing of any note to be pleased about (quite unlike the ladies - JOKO !!!!)

BUT it's great to see so many of the lower ranked guys this week, taking part, getting reasonable draws, and taking advantage of them:

There's been R1 wins and single points for Jonny, Jamie W, Keelan, Neil, (Dave) ...

Into the QFs ( and still going) are Matt, Evan, Scott, Bambo, Mark W...

Into the SFs (and still going) is Joe...

I know someone who will take keen interest in men's upper movements outside the top 500

Good stuff.