Federer rallies past Istomin at Swiss Indoors, gets tour finals boost with Gasquet loss

Switzerland's Roger Federer returns a ball to Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin during their second round match at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Keystone,Georgios Kefalas) (The Associated Press)

Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin returns a ball to Switzerland's Roger Federer during their second round match at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Keystone,Georgios Kefalas) (The Associated Press)

Roger Federer worried his hometown fans before beating Denis Istomin 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 Wednesday in the second round of the Swiss Indoors.

Federer conceded a set for the first time in five matches against the 48th-ranked Uzbek and rallied from 0-40 down in his first service game in the third.

The seventh-ranked Federer converted his first match point with an angled backhand volley.

Top-seeded Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina eased past Swiss wild card Henri Laaksonen, 6-4, 6-4.

Federer is looking for a strong finish to the most difficult season of his career. His chances of qualifying for the ATP World Tour Finals in London improved when Richard Gasquet lost 6-4, 6-2 to fellow Frenchman Michael Llodra.