Graf out of 800m final

The 800m has been hit by the absence of two medal favourites

Olympic and world 800 metres silver medallist Stephanie Graf has withdrawn from Tuesday's final at the World Athletics Championships after cutting her foot.

Graf was taken to hospital after a bottle of mineral water fell on to her foot in her bathroom and she had stitches in a cut on her instep.

The Austrian, who finished second at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and 2001 Edmonton world championships, has battled back to fitness after missing last season due to surgery to remove a tumour.

"I'm shaking all over and simply feel empty," said Graf.

Her absence, coupled with the withdrawal of European champion Jolanda Ceplak, leaves Olympic and world champion Maria Mutola as the overwhelming favourite to take gold in the final at 1845 BST.

World indoor record holder Ceplak pulled before Saturday's heats after aggravating her right Achilles tendon in a training session last Friday.

The Slovenian first injured the injury in training last month and was always struggling to regain fitness ahead of the championships.

She clocked the fourth fastest time this year when she ran one minute 57.44 seconds behind Mutola at July's Golden League meeting in Rome.

Ceplak may still contest the 1500 metres, which starts on Wednesday.