BASEL, Switzerland -- Roger Federer came from behind to beat Denis Istomin 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the second round of the Swiss Indoors on Wednesday. Federer conceded a set for the first time in five matches against the 48th-ranked Uzbek, and then had to rally from 0-40 down in his first service game in the decider. The seventh-ranked Swiss converted his first match point with a delightful backhand volley, but is still looking for his best tennis and a strong finish to the most difficult season of his career. Earlier, Federers chances of qualifying for the ATP World Tour Finals in London next month improved when Richard Gasquet was beaten 6-4, 6-2 by fellow Frenchman Michael Llodra in a first-round match. Also Wednesday, top-seeded Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina eased past Swiss wild card Henri Laaksonen, 6-4, 6-4. Seeded players continued to tumble with the fifth-seeded Gasquet followed by No. 6 Kei Nishikori of Japan, who lost 6-1, 6-2 against Ivan Dodig of Croatia. Eighth-seeded Grigor Dimitrov beat Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-3 and the Bulgarian is on course to meet Federer in the quarterfinals Friday. Federers struggles with back injuries and unheralded opponents since March have meant he still has not secured a place in the eight-man London lineup next month. Gasquets defeat, after Stanislas Wawrinkas first-round exit Tuesday, strengthened Federers hold on the sixth qualifying position in the points race before he played Istomin. Still, home fans were silenced when Istomin broke Federers serve in the fifth game before serving out the set. Federer needed a single break, in the sixth game, to level the match though appeared to show unease by asking the chair umpire to reject balls he thought were too soft for play. In the first game of the deciding set, Federer let two break point chances slip as Istomin escaped trouble with big serves. After saving four break points in his Federer saved four break points in next game and held despite his forehand again proving unreliable. Federer eventually led when he broke for a 2-1 advantage with a powerful forehand winner approaching the net, and reeled off four more games for victory. In other matches, Paul-Henri Mathieu of France beat Denis Kudla of the United States 6-4, 7-5, and Canadian Vasek Pospisil won 6-4, 6-4 against Robin Haase of the Netherland, who was a finalist in Vienna on Sunday. Sabres Jerseys 2020 .J. - Pete Carroll is in support of the NFL looking further into whether medicinal marijuana could beneficial for players. Fake Sabres Jerseys . -- Byron Scott is taking over the Los Angeles Lakers with the vocal support of his fellow Showtime greats. https://www.cheapsabres.com/ . Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. The latest from Bob As tweeted by TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie on Monday, the Columbus Blue Jackets need to resolve their offseason plans with forward R. Buffalo Sabres Pro Shop . Heather, the first Gaiter to win the award, set a Canadian Inter-university Sport record with 3,132 passing yards in eight league games, an average of 391.5 yards per game. That beat the mark of 3,047 set only one week earlier by Westerns Will Finch, a Hec Crighton finalist. Buffalo Sabres Gear . INJURIES - Cardinals 1B Matt Adams has been put on the DL with calf tightness, resulting in some lineup shifting, with Allen Craig moving from right field to first base, so that the Cardinals could bring up top prospect Oscar Taveras, who was the No.CORNER BROOK, N.L. - Corryn Brown led her B.C. rink to the championship round of the Canadian junior curling championships on Monday with an 8-3 win over Carina McKay-Saturnino of the Northwest Territories in womens Pool B play.B.C. improved to 5-0 with the win, and erased the hurt of missing the national championships in 2014, a year after winning the Canadian title.I really think that was kind of the huge driving factor for us, definitely. That was a crushing defeat, for sure, said Brown, referring to losing in the provincial final a year ago. And it really made us want it more, to be honest. The first year we won it, we didnt really have any past experience, but having won it and then losing it? That was a huge crushing disappointment, especially being defending Canadian champions.Nova Scotias Mary Fay (3-2) improved her hopes of moving on to the championship round with a 6-4 win over Prince Edward Islands Veronica Smith (2-4), while New Brunswicks Justine Comeeau (3-2) stole three in the 10th end for an 8-6 win over Newfoundland/Labradors Sarah Hill (0-5).ddddddddddddIn Pool A, Albertas Kelsey Rocque (5-0) is moving on after a bye on Monday night. Also clinching a position in the championship round was Ontarios Chelsea Brandwood (5-1), who beat Manitobas Beth Peterson (2-3) 8-3.In mens action, both pool leaders locked up their spots in the championship round. In Pool A, Quebecs Felix Asselin ran his win streak to five games with a 6-2 triumph over Nova Scotias Matthew Manuel (1-4).In Pool B, Albertas Karsten Sturmay also improved to 5-0 with an 8-2 win over the Yukons Joe Wallingham (2-4), while New Brunswicks Rene Comeau (4-1) clinched his championship round berth by beating Matthew Miller of the Northwest Territories (0-5) 10-5. Saskatchewans Jacob Hersikorn (4-1) had the bye on Monday night.In the other mens Pool A game, Newfoundland/Labradors Greg Smith (2-3) beat Nunavuts Kane Komaksiutiksak (0-4). ' ' 's return to the court Saturday at home to the Brooklyn Nets. ' ' '