The Centre Court roof got the thumbs up from Dinara Safina and Amelie Mauresmo after they became the first players to go "indoors".

World number one Safina lost the first set to former champion Mauresmo but was 4-1 up in the second when steady rain caused the first hold-up of the tournament.

The landmark decision was taken to close the roof and after, a 44-minute delay, Safina prevailed in an absorbing fourth-round match of widely-swinging fortunes, wrapping up a 4-6 6-3 6-4 victory after two hours and nine minutes.

"It was really nice atmosphere to play under the roof because somehow you feel a little bit more the crowd," said Safina.

"Even the crowd also wanted the roof so it was an unbelievable atmosphere on the court.

"I didn't had any problems adjusting. I felt pretty comfortable."

Although Mauresmo lost the second set following the roof closure, she had no complaints over use of the innovation.

"It makes the conditions a little bit different," said the 2002 champion. "I would say the ball is flying a little bit more.

"It's really bright, it's good. It's definitely a plus for the tournament.

"You have to adjust quickly, that's for sure. I was expecting a little different conditions. It's not a big deal."

The roof remained closed for Andy Murray's match but Safina does not want to see it become a permanent fixture.

"No," she said. "The weather is really unbelievable.

"It's a little bit of rain, a little bit of sun that you can get and then roof closed and then it's also fine."

Safina, three times a grand slam finalist but still awaiting her first success, made the brighter start and a couple of wayward forehands from the French player enabled the top seed to break in the second game.

A week away from her 30th birthday, Mauresmo drew encouragement from an impressive service game and reeled off five games in a row to lead 5-3 as the Russian lost her accuracy.

Urged on by the growing crowd, the 2006 champion then easily served out to wrap up the set after 39 minutes.

Mauresmo maintained the momentum at the start of the second set, breaking her opponent in the first game, and Safina's mood was as black as the clouds hovering above when she came out the worst from an over-rule by the umpire.

Mauresmo was 40-0 up on her serve in the next game but relaxed her grip and Safina dug even deeper to hold onto her serve in a thrilling third game.

That looked to be a turning point, with the Russian breaking her opponent to love and was leading 4-1 when the first rain of Wimbledon 2009 forced a hold-up.

The covers were brought on in traditional fashion but, when the rain became heavier, the historic decision was made to close the roof.

Neither player seemed affected by the change of conditions with the next four games all going with serve and Safina taking the second set to level the match.

There was no way back when Mauresmo was broken in the ninth game and Safina served out to clinch a memorable victory.

"She pushed me to play my best tennis so I'm really happy," said Safina.

Safina's reward is a quarter-final meeting tomorrow with Sabine Lisicki, the 19-year-old German who gained a 6-4 6-4 win over world number nine Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark.

"I'm feeling pretty good," added Safina. "Day to day I'm feeling better and better, enjoying more and more playing on grass."