ANDY Murray won the greatest match of his career after being inspired by Katherine Grainger two days earlier.

Murray trounced Roger Federer to win tennis gold last Sunday afternoon, just weeks after losing to the Swiss in the Wimbledon final.

Up until then, his career grand slam career was a case of four ‘silver’ medals and no golds.

Fellow Scot Grainger came into these Games with three silvers from the three previous Olympics, and hardly anybody in Britain would have been unaware of her story as she lined up for the women’s doubles sculls.

Murray said: “Seeing stuff like that is a motivation. We watched it right before I went to practice.

“We saw some of the stories on her and to keep coming back is something not many people have done.

“I think she will tell you that she’s a lot happier than the person who won gold on their first attempt.

“After the 12 years it’s taken to do it, it must be an unbelievable feeling.

“Obviously you want it to happen as soon as possible but it can often take a long time to get that first breakthrough, and guys like Goran Ivanisevic have stories that are motivational.

“They do happen. As long as you work hard and keep believing, you’ll get your chance.”