I agree, which is one of the reasons I prefer recs for all but the final stages of a tourney.AoE2 is quite an exhausting game to play at that level. It is normal in other sports for athletes to take a substantial break between certain big segments of their competition.
It also lets players play at a convenient time for them which should help with quality too (some players can adjust their sleep schedule and lifestyle to comfortably play at a good "casting" time, but lots can't).