Alexander Zverev

ROME — For about an hour, Alexander Zverev had no answer to the rocket-like forehands and perfectly placed drop shots that Alejandro Tabilo kept producing.

The fifth-ranked Zverev kept patient, though, and took his chance when it came as he rallied for a 1-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2 victory Friday over his unheralded Chilean opponent and a spot in the Italian Open final.

“I was just hanging on the second set. I brought my energy up,” Zverev said. “He hit me off the court in the first set and I didn’t play well at all...