Key Biscayne, Fla. ? Andre Agassi’s absence from the Australian Open this year helped Thomas Johansson win his first Grand Slam title. Johansson wasn’t so lucky at the Nasdaq-100 Open.

The ninth-seeded Agassi, seeking his fifth Key Biscayne title and second in a row, beat the eighth-seeded Johansson 7-5, 6-2 Tuesday to reach the quarterfinals.

A wrist injury kept Agassi from bidding for his third consecutive Australian Open championship in January. He’s 12-2 since returning and looked sharp against Johansson.

“It was definitely a letdown not playing Australia this year,” Agassi said. “It’s been a great place for me to get my year started. But now I’ve got a lot of energy, and I’m coming out of my shoes looking for competition.”

Agassi’s opponent today will be No. 20 Nicolas Lapentti, who beat Adrian Voinea 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.

No. 2 Venus Williams, seeking her fourth title in the event, became the first semifinalist by rallying past No. 12 Elena Dementieva 5-7, 6-3, 6-2. Williams won despite blowing a 3-0 lead in the first set and committing 48 unforced errors and 10 double faults.

“I never really felt that I was going to lose,” Williams said. “Theoretically, I should have won the first set.”

Williams’ next opponent will be the winner of the quarterfinal today between her sister Serena and two-time champion Martina Hingis. That match was postponed Tuesday night because of rain.

“Personally, I hope a Williams wins,” Venus said. “But win, lose or draw, I still love her.”