Luke Littler lost at the semi-final in the Premier League for the third time on Thursday and is still waiting for his first night win.
The teenager was sent a loving message by his girlfriend after he was comfortably beaten by former world champion Rob Cross in Exeter.
Littler has been consistent in the opening few weeks of the four-month-long tournament without managing to win a night's final.
He has won all but one of his five quarter-finals so far but has only qualified for the final on one occasion, where he lost to Michael van Gerwen in Berlin.
Littler has regularly reiterated his desire to put points on the board every week and has now done so in four of the five nights.
The 2023 world champion Michael Smith had beaten Littler in their only previous meeting before Thursday's trip to Exeter.
But Littler stormed through the quarter-final clash, beating Smith 6-3 in emphatic style, averaging just under 107.
He then faced Cross, who he memorably beat in the semi-final of the World Championship at Alexandra Palace.
Cross was on fire in his quarter-final, demolishing Gerwyn Price 6-1 with an average of 109.69 to make it through to the last four.
And he kept up his form against Littler, racing to a 6-3 victory to progress to the night's final.
Cross was the favourite to triumph but it was Nathan Aspinall, competing in his second final in a row, who came out on top 6-2.
Littler was not downbeat with his performance earlier in the evening and congratulated Aspinall for the win.
He wrote on social media: "Not my night but more points on the board and happy for @asp180. Onto the UK Open."
Littler's girlfriend Eloise Milburn was watching on from home, posting after his win over Smith: "Some class first game there! Into the semis!"
Milburn, 22, then said she was 'always proud' of Littler after his semi-final loss.
She posted: "Another semi final run tonight in Exeter! More points gained and still in that top 4! Onto the UK Open, always proud of you every week!"
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Eloise Milburn said she was 'always proud' of Luke Littler after his semi-final loss
Littler's knack for picking up points most weeks sees him sit second in the table, six adrift of leader Van Gerwen.
He will be in Minehead on Friday evening as he enters the UK Open at the fourth-round stage.
Meanwhile, Aspinall was delighted with his victory this week after going pointless on the first three nights.
He said: "I was a bit down after the first three weeks, but I’ve dug deep over the last two nights.
Luke Littler was beaten in the semi-final of his Premier League match in Exeter
Getty
"It was a slow start to the season, but last week was massive for myself. That win against Michael Smith has kick-started my season.
"I have been fighting with demons in my own head, but I love this game, and I love the opportunity I’ve been given.
"Everyone knows I’m a fighter, and I’m over the moon with the win tonight."
