Van Herck promised his coach, Koen Gonnisson, before the tournament that if he won the hair would go. After beating Sargis Sargsian 6-1, 4-6, 6-0, Van Herck said he would live up to the promise -- but just a buzz cut, not down to the scalp.

*** THIS was Van Herck's first trip to Bermuda and he quickly learned to appreciate something special about the Island, especially after collecting the first-place cheque. "In Belgium, I would have to pay 60 percent tax on this,'' he told the capacity crowd at Coral Beach. Winners and finalists in both singles and doubles also received large Waterford crystal bowls.

*** SPEAKING of money, Javier Frana continues to make a killing in Bermuda.

Yesterday he collected his second cheque -- his share of the $4,500 prize for reaching the doubles final -- after pocketing $6,275 for advancing to the singles semi-final. Last year, he lost in the semi-finals and the year before that he was in the finals.

*** MAKING his first appearance in Bermuda was Sargis Sargsian. His speed, hustle and shot-making quickly earned him many fans -- not to mention $10,600 -- and he said afterwards he told the crowd: "See you next year.'' *** ALL the players in the tournament bent over backwards to accommodate autograph-seeking ball girls and boys. The youngsters let out a big whoop yesterday when each of the players in the final took turns thanking them for volunteering.

*** IT happened throughout the week and it happened again yesterday in the doubles final: A player over-ruling an official on a close line call.

Lucas Arnold and Daniel Orsanic were credited with a point when a shot by their opponents was ruled out at the baseline. But after looking closely at the mark, they conceded the point to fall behind 0-40 while 4-2 ahead in the second set. The crowd cheered and Arnold/Orsanic ended up crawling back to deuce before dropping the game.