Despite starting as underdog in Birmingham against the men’s singles second seed, the 22-year-old sixth seed rose to the occasion to win the final 30-29, 20-22, 21-9 in 74 minutes.

The first two games were close affairs but by the third game, world No 2 Axelsen was a spent force and the fitter Zii Jia raced clear to wrap up the decider in 18 minutes for his second win in five matches against the Dane.

An elated Zii Jia, who made the semifinals in his debut last year, said: “I can’t describe my feelings. It’s a very special moment for me. I wanted to fight for every point and just never give up.”

Axelsen, who has lost just once in his last 43 matches, paid tribute to the Kedahan.

“I want to congratulate him. He’s been really solid this week. He deserves to be champion,” said the 2017 world champion.

The success in the World Tour Super 1000 event marks the world No 10’s first major title. His biggest achievement prior to this was winning the 2018 Chinese Taipei Open, a Super 300 tournament.

It also makes him only the third Malaysian men’s singles shuttler this century after Hafiz Hashim (2003) and Lee Chong Wei (2010, 2011, 2014, 2017) to lift the coveted trophy.

The now-retired Chong Wei’s success four years ago was also Malaysia’s last at the competition.