Kidambi Srikanth is a man of significant firsts. He became the first Indian man to win a Superseries Premier event when he won the China Open in 2014. After winning the India Open in 2015, he also became the first Indian man to win a Superseries event.
On Sunday, he moved to number two on the list of Indians with most Superseries titles, going past PV Sindhu who has two. The only Indian ahead of him on that list is Saina Nehwal, who has won a staggering 10 Superseries titles.
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When Srikanth faced his childhood hero and two-time champion Lin Dan in the quarterfinals of the Rio Olympics, he had the chance to become the first Indian man to reach the semi-finals at the Olympics. He led 11-8 at the final changeover in that match and was within striking distance of one of the biggest heists in the history of badminton.
That match was one of Srikanth's best displays in his young career and should have propelled him into overdrive. What followed was hard to believe. He failed to progress beyond the second round at four of his next seven tournaments. His best display in that time was a semi-final appearance at the Syed Modi International Badminton Championships in January this year after returning from almost a four-month layoff following an ankle injury.
The Olympics loss had taken a lot out of him. Speaking to ESPN after attracting the highest bid among Indian players at the Pro Badminton League auction in January, he had said, "Had I won, I would have become the first Indian male badminton player to make the Olympic semi-finals. And the kind of form that I was in in Rio, I had a very good chance against any player."
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Srikanth eventually turned his form around by reaching the final of the Singapore Open - a Superseries event - where he lost to compatriot B Sai Praneeth after throwing away a 7-2 lead in the second game.
On Sunday, Srikanth was facing Japan's Kazumasa Sakai in the final of the Indonesia Open. Sakai had never been in a Superseries final before, having a 7-6 record entering the tournament. He almost matched that tally by winning six matches en route to the final.
Sakai will again play the qualifiers for the Australian Open on Tuesday. On the other hand, Srikanth will face a qualifier in the opening round of the main draw.
Sakai had spent one hour and 12 minutes more than Srikanth to reach the final and the fatigue showed in the first game as Srikanth cruised through it in just 13 minutes.
Srikanth had also won his opening game in the semi-final against world no. 1 Son Wan Ho in just 17 minutes. He also led 13-10 in the second game before Son won 11 of the next 12 points to win the game.
Srikanth's second-game itch returned in the final as Sakai led 13-10 at one stage. But as he had shown in the semi-final, Srikanth shook himself out of his slumber and won the next four points to earn back the lead.
It was a pivotal moment: "I think that was the turning point of the match. Coming over that deficit changed the course of the game and helped me gain confidence to win the match."
Having been ranked as high as third in 2015, Srikanth could break into the top 10 if he progresses to the quarter-finals at the Australian Open next week.
If he repeats his title-winning run there, he'd achieve another unprecedented first: he'll become the first Indian man to be ranked number one in the Destination Dubai rankings.