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

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.