JODIE Burrage’s decision to ditch her dog walking plans were rewarded with a place in round two of the Rothesay International at Eastbourne.

The British number two was due to collect her black Labrador, Otto, from her parents’ house in Surrey on Sunday after suffering a qualifying defeat to Italy’s Jasmine Paolini.

But, despite some injury concerns, the 24-year-old accepted the offer to return to Devonshire Park as a lucky loser and, having driven back from Hindhead on Monday morning, capitalised with a 4-6 6-4 6-3 comeback win over American qualifier Lauren Davis.

Speaking of the U-turn, Nottingham runner-up Burrage, who will face either French Open finalist Coco Gauff or Bernarda Pera in the last 16, said: “Me and my boyfriend were going to get my dog.

“We were halfway when I got the email and actually I was umming and ahing about playing because I have had a shoulder injury, I rolled my ankle last week, my body is not in the best shape.

“I actually decided to carry on driving because I couldn’t be like, ‘yeah, I want to play’. Obviously I want to play, but I was trying to figure out what the smart thing to do was.

“It’s a nightmare trying to sort it out but the dog is back at mum’s. He’s happy to be there anyway.

“It wasn’t the best prep, but it worked.”

Burrage, who went to school in Bournemouth and trained at West Hants Club, is set for a return to the Wimbledon main draw as a wildcard next week.

She has never won a singles match at the SW19 event, well beaten by Davis on her debut in 2021.