Aus Open live: Alex De Minaur knocked out as Australian Open silence is deafening

Australia has just one player left in the singles draw of the Australian Open but fans already had a glaring issue to blame.

The last Australian mens player is out of the Australian Open after Alex De Minaur was downed in straight sets against Italian star Fabio Fognini 6-4 6-3 6-4.

But the bizarre scenes of the 2021 Australian Open appeared to strike with social media dominated by fans lamenting the lack of crowds as the atmosphere fell flat.

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In normal times, an Aussie into the third round of the home Open would blow the roof off Rod Laver Arena but these are not normal times.

While the result is in the books regardless of whether it would have changed the result, fans were quick to point out the major difference of the day as the fans were booted out of the stadium on Friday night as Victoria went into at least a five-day lockdown.

While the day had been largely silent except for a smattering of applause from the players' boxes, the last Aussie men's hopeful Alex De Minaur needed the boost from a vocal crowd for the local hero.

While De Minaur tried to inspire himself with some "C'mon" yells throughout the match, it wasn't enough as Italian 16th seed Fabio Fognini played out of his skin to dominate the match 6-4 6-3 6-4.

But the Holiday Inn cluster that forced Victoria into at least a five-day lockdown has robbed the tournament of its atmosphere.

Alex De Minaur is out of the Australian Open.

ABC business reporter David Taylor tweeted during the game: "Take a bow sports lovers, tonight’s #AustralianOpen2021 match proves the crowd is half of ‘sport’. I reckon De Minaur would be ahead if a crowd was there tonight".

The Tennis Podcast also tweeted that it may have been no different.

"Trying to imagine this Fognini-de Minaur match with crowds. De Minaur just seems a little flat or under-energised - a crowd could/would lift him. On the other hand, Fognini might also be energised by playing the villain? It was a common refrain throughout the night with fans lamenting the lack of fans in the stands as the atmosphere fell flat throughout the day," the post read.

Disappointed there isn’t a crowd there tonight to (a) cheer on de Minaur, and (b) remind Fognini that he’s an absolute flog. #AusOpen

— Adam Liaw (@adamliaw) February 13, 2021

But the results didn't bother the top seeds as it was one of the more lopsided days of play around.

Just three of the 16 singles match went to extra sets with Donna Vekic's 5-7 7-6 6-4 win, Casper Ruud's 6-1 5-7 6-4 6-4 win over Radu Albot and Daniil Medvedev's 6-3 6-3 4-6 3-6 6-0 win over Filip Krajinovic not won in straight sets.

In the men's draw, the higher seeded players all won as well.

After World No. 2 Rafael Nadal completed his 7-5 6-2 7-5 victory over Britain's Cameron Norrie, the 20-time grand slam winner said the tournament had clearly changed.

"The feeling is completely different now," Nadal said. "Nobody wants this, but as I repeated plenty of times, it's not the moment to forget about the situation that we are facing, it's a moment to be responsible and Australia like the country is one of the best examples in the world.

"So maximum respect for what they are doing. Hopefully the situation will improve and for the end of the tournament, crowd will be back."

The lack of crowd didn't really bother Ash Barty.

The lack of crowds didn't really bother Ash Barty too much though, with the Aussie World No. 1 making short work of Russia's Ekaterina Alexandrova in a 6-2 6-4 victory.

"It's very strange. But it changes the sound of the court a little bit," Barty said after the win.

"It may be rude of me but I like the sound. I love the sound of the ball makes. It feels like practice we're pretty used to it."

But fans were equally perturbed by the lack of a crowd for the Aussie World No. 1.

Barty wins in straight sets.
So dominant it was all a little underwhelming, but that might have been because the lack of a crowd takes away the excitement. #AusOpen

— Peter FitzSimons (@Peter_Fitz) February 13, 2021

Understand why crowds can’t be there right now but if you need one example of why live crowds make sport great, compare the Australian Open tonight v last night. Just so strange watching tennis without crowds.Come on Ash Barty and de Minaur,we’re cheering from our lounge rooms👊

— brad davidson (@braddavo) February 13, 2021

Relive our day six coverage from Melbourne Park below, which was without fans after Victoria's snap lockdown.