The India number 4 who was a member of the Indian squad at the London Olympics was made to toil in his 6-4 7-6 (3) win by his unheralded rival before advancing.
Vardhan grabbed a decisive break in the ninth game to serve out the first set but Bendre did exceptionally well to keep pace with his opponent in the second that went into a tie-breaker at the Juhu Vile Parle Gymkhana.
However, the man who partnered Leander Paes at the London Games last year managed to elevate his game when it mattered as he raced away from 3-3 to 6-3 in the tie-breaker and sealed the affair on his first match point.
Vardhan will next face Mohit Mayur in what should be another tricky contest for the 25-year-old judging by Mayur