Safina keeps nerve to see off Mauresmo

LONDON (Reuters) - Top seed Dinara Safina needed all her battling qualities to beat former champion Amelie Mauresmo 4-6 6-3 6-4 under the closed Center Court roof in the fourth round at Wimbledon on Monday.

Safina, the world''s top ranked player who still awaits a grand slam title, found it difficult to impose her all-guns blazing baseline game on the Frenchwoman but finally prevailed after two hours and nine minutes.

Mauresmo, seeded 17, trailed 3-0 in the opener before finding her form and taking it with two breaks of serve.

Safina hit back to level the match and though Mauresmo -- who became the first player to hit a ball under the new roof when drizzle halted play -- led 2-0 in the decider, the Russian kept her focus to hold serve for the match, clinching it when Mauresmo netted a forehand.

She will play unseeded German Sabine Lisicki for a place in the semi-finals.

(Editing by Miles Evans)