Emily Westenberger earned a 6-3, 6-2 title win. (Submitted photo)

Emily Westenberger was at Farquhar Park the evening that her sister, Katie, won the 2006 Women's Singles title in the York City-County Tennis Tournament.

Westenberger, who was 11 at the time, doesn't remember a lot about her sister's match (Katie won a second crown in 2008).

That's OK, because Emily Westenberger now has her own special City-County memory.

Emily, 17, defeated Robin Treider, 6-3, 6-2, on Sunday afternoon to capture the 2012 Women's Singles crown.

"I know I get compared to my sister a lot, but I don't mind," Westenberger said. "I guess it's good to keep the legacy going. I'm the last of three children."

The youngest Westenberger, who will be a senior at Dallastown High School in the fall, made her debut in the singles draw this year.

"A friend asked me to do mixed doubles, then they (tournament officials) asked me to do singles, too, and I said, sure."

Strong forehand key to win: Westenberger trailed just twice in the title match -- at 1-0 in both sets.

Her strong forehand was the difference as she consistently crushed down-the-line and angled winners.

"She (Treider) got a lot of balls back, so I was looking to attack her second serve," Westenberger said. "Basically, I was trying to get as many winners as I could."

Westenberger ripped a forehand winner to capture the second game of the first set and made two passing shots in taking the sixth game.

The new champion was at it again in the second set smashing forehand winners on game point in games three and six. On match point, Westenberger executed a forehand volley that Treider got a racket on, but couldn't return.

"I was trying to stay away from my backhand," Westernberger said. "That's been really weak lately, and I wanted to keep the forehand in play."

Westenberger said the backhand is a work in progress.

"A lot of times, it's good in practice, but in matches, I like, tighten up."

The pace on Westenberger's forehand shot made things difficult for Treider, who despite doing a yeoman job returning shots, had to settle for runnerup honors.

"I haven't hit with that style of player in a long time," Treider said. "It makes a difference.

"I was looking for more misses," she said with a smile.

Treider's been a regular in the small Women's Singles bracket (just three players this year), but she isn't sure about 2013.

"The past couple of years, I was determined to play in the (singles) tournament. Next year, I may focus on doubles.

"It's enjoyable just to compete, that's what brings me back. Plus, you try to better yourself."

Diehl, Myers advances to men's final: Craig Diehl knows all about competing.

Diehl won 10 York City-County Men's Doubles between 1980 and 2002 before injuries and hip replacement surgery forced him from the Men's Singles draw.

He returned this year at the age of 51.

"I'm sure some people were saying, what's he doing (at his age)," Diehl said. "So, as far as trying to prove I could still compete, there was a little of that in my return. I'm a competitive person."

Diehl is not only back, he's one victory away from an 11th title.

The former Spring Grove High School and Bloomsburg University star defeated Nate Gambino, 6-2, 6-3, on Sunday to earn a place in the final. Diehl, the No. 1-seed, will take on No. 2-seeded Phil Myers for the title at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Farquhar Park.

Myers topped No. 3-seeded Ben Nace, by the identical scores of 6-2, 6-3, in Sunday's other semifinal.

When Diehl was younger, he was known for his strong groundstrokes loaded with topspin.

Diehl can still rally from the baseline, but he's also added a strong serve to his game.

He didn't lose his serve in the first set against Gambino.

Diehl fired eight service winners in the opening set which he took charge of immediately by bolting to a 4-1 lead.

Gambino led in three of the first four games, but Diehl found a way to win each one.

"That was important for me to win those games because he would have had momentum," Diehl said. "I knew going in that I had to keep him deep. I felt the longer the point went, it was to my advantage."

Unique foe: Gambino, a former standout at Dallastown High School and Penn State York, said he never played anyone like Diehl.

"He kept me behind the baseline. No one ever did that to me before for most of the match."

Gambino did a much better job against Diehl's serve in the second set earning two breaks including one to tie the set at two.

Diehl, though, answered with a service break of his own.

"I was hoping that break would give me momentum, but he broke right back," Gambino said. "He played unbelievable for his age. When I'm 51, I hope I can play like that."

Gambino wasn't 100 percent physically for Sunday's match.

"The left side of my left leg and my lower back hurt. He's (Diehl) such a solid player. I was hoping to give him a good match which I did."

Reach Dick Vanolinda at dvanolinda@yorkdispatch.com or 505-5407.