Tsitsipas finds his footing to set up Kyrgios semi in Washington

Aug 1, 2019; Washington, D.C., USA; Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece celebrates after match point against Jordan Thompson of Australia (not pictured) in the 2019 Citi Open at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center. Tsitsipas won 6-3, 7-6(4). Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

(Reuters) - Stefanos Tsitsipas overcame another shoe problem and an angry Benoit Paire on Friday to advance 7-5 6-0 and set up a semi-final against Australian firebrand Nick Kyrgios at the Citi Open in Washington.

Frenchman Benoit lost his temper in the third game of the second set when top seed Tsitsipas halted the match to attend to a broken shoe lace.

Benoit told the chair umpire the Greek was stalling for time and claimed it was a pattern with Tsitsipas, who also stopped play to attend to problems with his footwear in his last two matches.

Aug 2, 2019; Washington, D.C., USA; Benoit Paire of France serves against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece (not pictured) in a men's singles quarterfinal of the 2019 Citi Open at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Once play resumed and Benoit lost a point, the Frenchman pretended to have a shoe issue of his own and sat in his chair, testing the chair's patience but earning no warning.

Benoit failed to regain his composure after the argument and Tsitsipas cruised to the win on a warm night in the U.S. capital.

Kyrgios later hammered down 19 aces and needed just under an hour to defeat Slovakian lucky loser Norbert Gombos 6-3 6-3 under the lights.

Aug 2, 2019; Washington, D.C., USA; Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece hits a forehand against Benoit Paire of France (not pictured) in a menÕs singles quarterfinal of the 2019 Citi Open at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center.Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The semi-final will mark the first career meeting between the two players but they know each other's games well.

They are doubles partners this week in Washington and have said they also plan to team up at the Cincinnati Masters later this month.

Russian third seed Daniil Medvedev looked sharp en route to an impressive 6-4 7-6(7) win over Marin Cilic and will next face German Peter Gojowczyk, who defeated Britain's Kyle Edmund 6-3 4-6 6-3 in their quarter-final.

Aug 2, 2019; Washington, D.C., USA; Benoit Paire of France hits a forehand against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece (not pictured) in a menÕs singles quarterfinal of the 2019 Citi Open at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

In the women's draw, teenager Caty McNally upset fourth-seeded Hsieh Su-wei 6-4 6-3 to reach the semis in her first WTA tournament and set up a meeting with Camila Giorgi, who defeated Zarina Diyas 6-3 6-2.

McNally, 17, is the latest American teenager to make waves in the tennis world after 15-year-old Cori 'Coco' Gauff reached the fourth round at Wimbledon last month and Hailey Baptiste, also 17, stunned second-seeded Madison Keys on Tuesday.

In other quarter-final action Anna Kalinskaya beat Kristina Mladenovic 6-4 4-6 6-2 to set up a date with Jessica Pegula, who defeated fellow American Lauren Davis 6-2 7-6(2) to advance to the semis.

Aug 2, 2019; Washington, D.C., USA; Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece hits a backhand against Benoit Paire of France (not pictured) in a menÕs singles quarterfinal of the 2019 Citi Open at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

(Reporting by Rory Carroll, editing by Nick Mulvenney)

Aug 2, 2019; Washington, D.C., USA; Benoit Paire of France argues with chair umpire Greg Allensworth against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece (not pictured) in a menÕs singles quarterfinal of the 2019 Citi Open at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 2, 2019; Washington, D.C., USA; Nick Kyrgios of Australia hits a backhand against Norbert Gombos of Slovakia (not pictured) in a menÕs singles quarterfinal of the 2019 Citi Open at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center. Krygios won 6-3, 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 2, 2019; Washington, D.C., USA; Nick Kyrgios of Australia hits a forehand against Norbert Gombos of Slovakia (not pictured) in a menÕs singles quarterfinal of the 2019 Citi Open at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center. Krygios won 6-3, 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 2, 2019; Washington, D.C., USA; Marin Cilic of Croatia hits a backhand against Daniil Medvedev of Russia (not pictured) in a menÕs singles quarterfinal of the 2019 Citi Open at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center. Medvedev won 6-4, 7-6(7). Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 2, 2019; Washington, D.C., USA; Daniil Medvedev of Russia celebrates after match point against Marin Cilic of Croatia (not pictured) in a menÕs singles quarterfinal of the 2019 Citi Open at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center. Medvedev won 6-4, 7-6(7). Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 2, 2019; Washington, D.C., USA; Marin Cilic of Croatia serves against Daniil Medvedev of Russia (not pictured) in a menÕs singles quarterfinal of the 2019 Citi Open at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center. Medvedev won 6-4, 7-6(7). Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 2, 2019; Washington, D.C., USA; Daniil Medvedev of Russia (L) shakes hands with Marin Cilic of Croatia (R) after their match in a menÕs singles quarterfinal of the 2019 Citi Open at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center. Medvedev won 6-4, 7-6(7). Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 2, 2019; Washington, D.C., USA; Marin Cilic of Croatia reaches for a volley against Daniil Medvedev of Russia (not pictured) in a menÕs singles quarterfinal of the 2019 Citi Open at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center. Medvedev won 6-4, 7-6(7). Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports