Johansson Injury Win Good Sign for Agassi at Australian Open

Swedish comer Joachim Johansson, who is fast approaching a coveted position in the Top 10 on the ATP Rankings, survived a marathon third-round match Friday at the Australian Open, defeating Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 3-6, 5-7, 7-6(2), 13-11.

The exhaustive effort bodes well for his next-round opponent, 34-year-old American Andre Agassi.

Adding to Johansson's problems will be a thigh injury he sustained in the final set against Lopez, with the Swede still managing to serve his way to victory.

Lopez was unable to force a break point through the entire 24-game final set, and was the victim of 38 aces thrown down by "The Jackhammer" Johansson.

On Friday Agassi saw off serve-and-volleying countryman Taylor Dent with a 7-5, 7-6(3), 6-1 win.

For Agassi it will be the first meeting with Johansson, who in career titles he outnumbers 59 to 2.

"That's not going to be easy," Agassi said of his impending first meeting with the towering Swede. "I mean, I've seen his game. I've admired it from a distance many times. Quite powerful. Never playing somebody before, it's hard to know how their game feels and how your game matches."

Agassi, himself dealing with a hip injury that flared up entering the Australian Open, says Johansson will now have to deal with his own injury and fatigue issues in their match-up.

"Tennis can be a very cruel and sometimes arguably unfair sport," Agassi said. "But in the spirit of competition, you've got to deal with what's thrown at you. I can honestly say I'm glad I didn't go 13-11 in the fifth."