TENNIS fans can prepare themselves for a veritable treat when the XL Capital Bermuda Open gets underway next weekend.

With the likes of Michael Chang and Andrew Ilie signed up to grace the courts of Coral Beach, the annual ATP Challenger tournament promises to be one of the best ever.

Chang first broke into the top 50 at the age of 15 and the American has remained there for 13 consecutive seasons.

At the age of 17, he caused a sensation by winning the 1989 French Open and also reached the final of both the Australian and US Opens in 1996. That was also the year he reached his career best world ranking of two as he finished in the top ten for the fifth successive year.

Chang is famous for his speed around the court and now 30 years-old, he can still move well enough to deter all but the bravest opponents from attempting a drop shot.

Chang will not be the first Grand Slam winner to play in the XL, which has featured the likes of Patrick Rafter, MaliVai Washington and Mats Wilander in its nine-year history.

And his appearance will be a massive boost for the tournament, which already has an excellent reputation among the players.

Year after year, participants have praised the event. American James Blake, who has shot up the rankings and played for the US Davis Cup team since his appearance here last year, said the XL was more like a fully-fledged ATP Tour event rather than a Challenger and a big one at that. And Leander Paes, of India, one of the world's top doubles players, described it as the "best organised Challenger tournament in the world".

Although plans to apply for an upgrade from Challenger to full ATP Tour event have been put on hold this year, Chang's appearance will only bolster tournament director Alec Anderson's case in the future.

The tournament also seems to be growing in importance on the professional circuit with the dearth of men's clay-court tournaments in North America.

The return of Australian firebrand Andrew Ilie will be warmly welcomed by XL regulars. With his ferocious hitting, garish headgear and his habit of ripping his shirt of his body to celebrate victory, he is a real crowd-pleaser.

He will also be a genuine contender, having lifted the crystal trophy two years ago following a string of sizzling performances.

With a highest-ever singles ranking of 38, the Romanian-born player who will celebrate his 26th birthday during tournament week, may not be able to boast the pedigree of Chang, but he will probably feel more at home in Bermuda after his 2000 exploits.

Fans will also be delighted to see Mike Russell's return. As a qualifier last year, Russell's scrambling style and never-say-die spirit propelled him all the way to the semi-finals, where he lost an epic encounter against Spain's David Sanchez.

Weeks later, Russell came within a point of victory against then-world number one and eventual winner Gustavo Kuerten in an astonishing five-set match in the fourth round of the French Open. Last year, the American became the first player to qualify for four different Grand Slam events in succession.

The XL has gained something of a reputation as a stepping stone for young stars of the future. The appearance of Andy Roddick last year was probably the ultimate example of that.

Twenty-year-old American Taylor Dent is another exciting prospect who will compete in this year's event. Like Roddick, Dent possesses a serve of considerable pace, as he showed at Wimbledon last summer where he struck a 144 mph serve that was the fastest of the tournament.

As in previous years, a junior clinic featuring some of the ball kids and the stars, as well as a Legends programme bringing in the likes of Roy Emerson and Richey Reneberg will be built around the main event.

Qualifying rounds will be played on the weekend of April 13-14, with admission free. Main draw matches will start on April 15 and day and evening schedules will be played throughout the week. Tickets and more information can be obtained by ringing the tournament office on 296-2554.