Can someone try the following in Safari on the new 10.9.2 build?
1. Press Cmd-Shift-\ or pinch to show the multi-tab view.
2. Press Cmd-T to create a new tab.
In Safari 7.0.1 / OS X 10.9.1, the focused tab will navigate to the "new tab" home page, and a new blank tab will open at the far right.
Still happens.