Tennis-Sabalenka feels like a 'different player' following Grand Slam breakthrough

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Australian Open - Women's Singles Photo Shoot - Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne, Australia - January 29, 2023 Australian Open champion Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka poses with the trophy during a photo shoot REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

(Reuters) - Aryna Sabalenka said her Australian Open triumph has helped tame the nerves that had undermined her in the past and has infused her with a self-belief she harnessed to devastating effect on Wednesday when she routed Coco Gauff at Indian Wells.

Sabalenka's most potent weapon - her punishing serve - had become her biggest liability last year when she made a WTA-leading 428 double faults. At one point she even resorted to an underarm serve.