Hundreds of flying ants bugged both players during the 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 win – the infestation as bad on Court 3 as anywhere in SW19 – but could not distract the British no. 4 from booking his place in the third round of Wimbledon, where he will face Gilles Muller, for the first time in his career.
Slovenia-born Bedene had revealed that he was such close friends with Dzumhur of Bosnia that he had even lent him a couple of pairs of shorts and some shirts for his first round match.
But there was no sentiment today – and at one point early in the second set Dzumhur even complained to the umpire about one of the Bedene entourage sarcastically hand-clapping the error that led to a crucial break.
That aside, Bedene was a class above his opponent, serving well and dominating rallies under the watchful eye of Great Britain Davis Cup captain.
A failed two-year battle with the ITF means that Bedene remains unavailable for selection but British crowd were nevertheless very much behind him.
The 25-year-old had a punishing backhand but lacked the psychological strength to capitalise on any advantages that gave him. Bedene, on the other hand, looked both mentally and physically strong after his 4hr 24min tie-break fest against Ivo Karlovic on the opening day of the tournament.
Breaks were won and lost, but when Bedene started the fourth set by winning the opening two games, there was no way back for Dzumhur, who had conceded the break with four successive errors.
It was then only a matter of time – 2hr 7 mins to be precise – before Dzumhur slapped one final easy put-away, prompting Bedene to raise his arm in a gladiatorial salute to celebrate reaching the third round of Wimbledon for the first time in his career.
