Dinara Safina made history as she became the first player to win under the new Centre Court roof at Wimbledon.
Top seed fends off Mauresmo in historic encounter
Dinara Safina made history as she became the first player to win under the new Centre Court roof at Wimbledon.
The top seed produced a rousing comeback to fend off the impressive challenge of Amelie Mauresmo in one of the most competitive matches of the tournament so far.
Safina recovered from 0-3 in the final set to win 4-6 6-3 6-4 and book her place in the quarter-finals.
However, of almost equal drama was the sight of the new roof being closed and used for the first time after rain began to fall during the second set - a fact that drew a cheer from the crowd, which certainly was a first in SW19.
Mauresmo, the 2006 champion, started poorly with a string of errors as she fell 0-3 down but soon recovered to begin troubling Safina with her game which is made for grass.
Using her chipped returns and low slices well and coming forward when necessary, Mauresmo won five straight games to lead 5-3 before serving out the set.
Safina vented her frustration by arguing with the umpire at the start of the second set by it seemed to gee her up and she broke Mauresmo shortly before the rain arrived.
Famous
At that stage, with Safina 4-1 up, the 'concertina' of 5,200 square metres of waterproof fabric, was put across the famous arena, much to the fans' delight.
After a delay of 44 minutes as the covers were first pulled across, then removed and the air conditioning system switched on, play resumed and Safina duly served out the second set.
She looked to be back in trouble when Mauresmo started the decider like a train, breaking in the second game with a fine smash.
However, Safina hit back with a break to love as the tension rose under the roof.
The key game came at 3-4 when Safina fell 15-40 down but then produced two fine winners to come up with a crucial hold.
Mauresmo must have sensed her chance had gone and duly lost her own serve in the very next game, leaving Safina to serve out for an historic victory.
She will now face German teenager Sabine Lisicki in what will be both players' first Wimbledon quarter-final.
