import .gz and .zip files with file & http fetcher

Hi Folks,

I 've been trying to import an XML feed using both http and file fetcher, but given the size of the file it does not seem possible. I have updating limits in php.ini to upto 512 MB.
Most of the affiliate feeds are in compressed format, and i could not figure a way to import .gz or .zip file directly using either fetcher.
I found a patch for this for a drupal 6 version (https://www.drupal.org/node/682102) but this does not work on D7,

would greatly appreciate if a provision for importing xml in compressed form can be provided. Requesting a patch to accomplish the same.
eagerly looking forward to a solution.
*urgent*