Local duo should move up in tennis rankings

Local Sports

October 14, 2008

Chris Whitaker

AMERICUS — There could be a new No. 1 in the United States Tennis Association’s men’s 65 doubles division.

Americus’ own Jeryl Pinnell and Jimmy Thaxton cruised to a 6-4, 6-2 win at the Georgia State Clay Court Championships at Jekyll Island last weekend.

Thaxton believes the duo, currently ranked No. 1 in Georgia and No. 2 in the Southern region, could take over the top spot when the rankings are released in November.

But first, they have to get through this weekend’s tournament in Pelham, Ala. They will be competing in the Southern Closed Clay Court Championships with singles play beginning Thursday and doubles on Friday.

“We know we have a tough draw in the first round, and if we can get by them, I think we have a chance to make the finals,” said Thaxton.

The duo have competed individually for about 30 years, but together, they’ve taken the doubles division by storm over the past four years.

Pinnell is a co-owner with Clinic Drug Store, a family-owned business, and Thaxton is a pharmacy technician at the store. Thaxton also serves as Southland Academy’s tennis coach.

Pinnell holds the No. 5 ranking in Georgia for men’s 70 singles, and Thaxton is No. 10 in men’s 65 singles.

They are 34th and 11th, respectively, in the Southern region which is comprised of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Pinnell won his singles division with a 6-2, 6-2 score, and it took two matches for Thaxton to win in 65 singles. He won 6-0, 6-2 in the semifinals and 6-4, 6-4 in the finals.

If the duo can reach the doubles final, they may play the top-ranked duo of Ralph Grieco (Roswell, Ga.) and William Simon (Kenner, La.).

Thaxton and Pinnell were 20 points behind them entering this last tournament for the top spot.

This will be their fifth tournament to participate in this year. They have won their last two; they lost in the semifnals and finals of the two previous tournaments.