Christmas certainly came early for Robert when he was selected to represent Great Britain against Belgium at the National Tennis Centre, 14-16 December.
The 12 and Under British team, 2 boys from Middlessex, one from Derbyshire and Robert, proved too strong for the Belgian boys winning the match 19-1. Robert was undefeated through the whole match and moreover is now the number 1 ranked player in his age group in the Country.
The match began with doubles on Day 1. Robert played with Sam Ferguson(Derbyshire) and Jay Clarke(Derbyshire) played with Omari Owens-Maxwell(Middlesex). The British boys' superior volleying skills were in evidence, as they won all four matches in straight sets without too many alarms.
On day 2, it was down to the more serious business of singles. Robert started against the diminutive Yentl Kets. Yentl started with some sharp serving and aggressive flat groundstrokes, but he couldn't match Robert's consistent weight of shot, and the outcome was soon inevitable as Robert wrapped up a comfortable 6-0,6-1 victory. Omari beat Vincent Sterckens 6-3,6-0, Sam beat Tim Heuninck in straight sets, and Jay edged past the Belgian number 1 Lukas Daels in a deciding tie-break.
The British boys were therefore feeling pretty confident for the second round of matches. Robert played the languid big-hitter Vincent Sterckens and was sharp from the outset, playing close to his best for a set and a half and giving the Belgian no chance in a 6-1 6-0 victory. The others British boys also won comfortably in straight sets, so the team ended the day in positive mood.
The next day the boys all appeared below par to start with. Robert began against the feisty but not over-tall Tim Heuninck. Robert was nowhere near the level of the day before, but managed to win the first set 6-2. Despite taking an early lead in the second set, he remained sluggish and the second set went to Tim 6-3. Suddenly Robert found himself in a deciding tie-break but he responded well and, looking more focused, he won the tie-break comfortably 10-4.
Sam laboured to a straight-sets win over Yentl Kets, whilst Omari edged past Lukas Daels in a tie-break, and Jay lost in a tie-break to Vincent Sterckens, giving the Belgians a somewhat unexpected point in the overall match. Luckily, the British boys woke up a bit after this. Robert played Lukas Daels and was very aggressive throughout against a physically strong counter-hitter, winning pretty comfortably 6-4,6-2. Sam upped his level to beat Vincent Sterckens in two sets, whilst Omari overcame a first set loss to beat Tim Heuninck in a tie-break. Finally, Jay kept his game solid to defeat Yentl Kets in straight sets.
Apart from a slow start to day 3, the British boys were solid and professional throughout.