Lebedeva is still unbeaten in Golden League meets, but a tender Achilles at the Oslo meet last week has cast doubt on her fitness. She is going for a third straight title.
"I have a slight problem in my foot so I wanted to use as little energy as possible to be fit for the final," Lebedeva said.
Compatriot and Olympic high jump champion Yelena Slesarenko pulled out of the high jump ahead of qualifying because of an injured left ankle.
In the triple jump, Olympic champion Francoise Mbango Etone also pulled out at the last moment, capping a frustrating season.
In the 400m hurdles, defending champion Felix Sanchez cruised into the next round despite a right foot injury which has spoiled his season so far.
Nineteen-year-old Kerron Clement, who has the top time this year, was fastest in 48.98 seconds.
On a cool blustery night, Dibaba suddenly cut through a drizzle over the last lap to leave everybody but her two compatriots standing.
If Kenenisa Bekele, another Ethiopian, owns men's long distance, Dibaba could quickly do the same on the women's side.
She doubled at the world cross country championships earlier this year.
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