He lost in two sets 6-3 and 6-2 in 1h19.
Conceding the break straight away (2-0), Goffin saved a 4-0 point in the first set before balancing the exchanges. The Italian then concentrated on his serve. Goffin was unable to create a single break point. Sonego wrapped up the set in 38 minutes (6-3).
The 29-year-old from Turin, ex-ATP 21 in 2021, achieved a new break at the start of the second set (1-0) which he confirmed (2-0). Goffin again gave up his serve (4-1). The situation became more than compromised.
This was a third duel between them. While the Belgian had won in the quarter-finals in Montpellier in 2021 (6-4, 6-4), Sonego had emerged in the first round of the qualifications for the Masters 1000 in Monte Carlo this year (4-6, 6-4, 6-4).
Sonego will play his 6th final and will aim for a 4th title in the final of this tournament, endowed with 779,780 dollars, against the Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta (ATP 299) or the American Alex Michelsen (ATP 52/N.11, who got the better of Zizou Bergs in the round of 16.
Goffin, who was playing in his first ATP Tour semi-final in two years, was hoping to play in his first final since the ATP 250 in Marrakech in April 2022, which was the sixth and currently last ATP tournament won by the former world No. 7.
Starting next week, David Goffin will play his 12th US Open, the fourth and final Grand Slam tournament of the season in New York.
