REDDITCH HDA Tennis Club ace Felix Gill revealed his pride after representing Great Britain for the first time in the 16 and under Tennis Europe Winter Cup in Holland.
This exciting eight-team competition took place in Bergen op Zoom in the south of the Netherlands and pitted GB, captained by former British number one Chris Wilkinson, against Norway in the first round.
Gill got the team off to a great start by beating Norwegian number one Max Bakken 6-2, 6-7, 6-4.
The Redditch teenager said of his efforts: “I was very proud to represent GB for the first time. I was a little nervous at the start as I knew it would be tough.
“This was a good match in which to get a victory and the hard work over three sets paid off.”
Gill’s GB team-mates Jack Pinnington Jones and Joel Pierleoni continued the success as the latter won the second rubber and the duo won the doubles together to seal a 3-0 overall victory in the tie.
GB’s semi-final was against a strong Italian team who emerged eventual winners. Gill and Pierleoni both lost out in the singles, although Pierleoni and Pinnington Jones did win the doubles as GB went down 2-1.
The action concluded for GB with the third place play-off against Denmark in which Gill was first up against Danish number one Elmer Moller.
Gill had the edge on the Dane over two close sets, securing the first rubber 7-5, 6-4, much to his delight.
“I was more relaxed in this match. I was enjoying myself which helped me execute my game plan,” said Gill.
Pinnington Jones lost 6-3, 7-5 in the second singles match and also teamed up with Gill for the doubles in which the pair were beaten 6-4, 7-6 by talented duo Tobias Bo Kudsk and Moller, leaving GB in fourth place.
