Having secured back-to-back titles last year, the lanky top-seeded Dane came into this tournament a hot favourite.
But Axelsen failed to qualify for the finals after a gruelling 21-12, 19-21, 21-17 defeat to the world number six.
"I did everything I could mentally and physically," the 30-year-old Dane told reporters.
"Credit to Yuqi, he was the better player."
Shi, 27, sealed the first game thanks to some excellent net play that trapped Axelsen.
But Axelsen came back for the second game fired-up... Читать дальше...