Richard Gasquet loss at Swiss Indoors helps Roger Federer's bid for place at tour finals week

BASEL, Switzerland – Richard Gasquet lost in the Swiss Indoors first round on Wednesday, boosting Roger Federer's chance of qualifying for the ATP World Tour Finals.

Fifth-seeded Gasquet was beaten 6-4, 6-2 by fellow Frenchman Michael Llodra.

Gasquet, who holds the eighth and final qualifying position for the finals in London, wasted a chance to extend his ATP points lead over compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who skipped this week ahead of the Paris Masters.

Gasquet joins Tomas Berdych and Stanislas Wawrinka as London contenders who lost their opening match at Basel.

Third-seeded in his hometown event, Federer plays his second-round match Wednesday against Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan.

Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina, the top-seeded defending champion, followed Gasquet on court against Swiss wild card Henri Laaksonen.