The Davenport City Tournament Friday

Damian Sancillio won the City Title last year at age 42. This year, he made it to the semifinals, where he lost a 2 1/2 hour three setter to Brent Wilkins.

Since taking a job at The Westwood Club this year, the new Asst. Pro has had an opportunity to work on his game, hitting during breaks with his boss, Sean Steinour. Perhaps all part of his strategy to exact revenge on Steinour for beating him in the State Championships last summer. But in order to meet his co-worker in the Final, he first had to get past the defending City Champion, Damian Sancillio.

It is simply incredible what Sancillio has accomplished for himself and men's tennis in Richmond. Because the Men's Open Singles division typically brings in many of the area's strongest high school and collegiate players, you don't find many 40+ year olds playing in the Open draw. It's a different game today than what Sancillio played when he won his first City title way back in 1984 against finalist Kenny Thorne.

In 1984, you could buy a Snauwaert Ergonom Tennis Racquet, that had a head tilted 42 degrees from the grip in order to align the sweet spot with the path of the incoming ball if you couldn't do it yourself. You would have been glued to your tv set watching John McEnroe defeat Jimmy Connors 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 in the Wimbledon Final.

Back in those days, Darryl Wilburn, Hugh Waters, and Junie Chatman were the "dudes". They played a slightly different style than the huge serve, screaming baseline game delivered by today's younger players, assisted by racquets of materials not even dreamed about 20 years ago.

That's why the City tournament now includes a separate Adult Age Division Championship Division which starts in July [register now!]. On clay courts for "more experienced" knees. It used to be called the Seniors Division. But since it's a tournament for players ages 35 and over, and lots of us now qualify, the name was changed to something less objectionable to a 36 year old who just had a baby.

But Damian, who is 8 years into qualifying for the Age Division Championships, is still entering, and still winning in, the Open draw. Let's give him a huge pat on the back for an excellent tournament finish.

Men's Singles Semifinals: Sean Steinour d. Jakub Petersson 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-3; Brent Wilkins d. Damian Sancillio 6-2, 6-7(6), 6-4.

Mixed Doubles Semifinals: Bridget & Kevin Reichert d. Martha Walsh & James Hensley by default; Gretchen & Scott Steinour d. Steph Green & Al Thomas 6-3, 2-6, 6-2.