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Monday, July 19, 2004 | 9:13 a.m.

Brazil, Uruguay in Copa semifinals

World champion Brazil beat Mexico 4-0 and Uruguay defeated Paraguay 3-1 to set up a semifinal on Wednesday in Copa America.

Adriano scored twice to lift a Brazilian team missing stars such as Ronaldo and Ronadinho into the last four of South America's championship for national teams. Dario Silva got two goals for 10-man Uruguay.

Brazil, seeking a seventh title, overpowered Mexico in the second half at the Estadio Miguel Grau in Piura, Peru, after captain Alex's first-half penalty. Inter Milan striker Adriano scored in the 66th and 79th minutes before setting up Ricardo Oliveira for a fourth two minutes from the end.

Uruguay, chasing a record 15th title in soccer's oldest international competition, rallied from 1-0 down at Tacna's Estadio Modelo to reach its third consecutive Copa semifinal.

Carlos Gamarra gave Paraguay the lead with a 15th-minute header before Carlos Bueno converted a penalty to make it 1-1 in the 39th minute. Silva swiveled to shoot Uruguay ahead in the 65th minute, two minutes after teammate Gustavo Varela's dismissal.

Silva sealed his country's 100th Copa America win with a solo effort two minutes from time. He and Bueno moved to four goals for the tournament.

In Saturday's quarterfinals, defending champion Colombia defeated Costa Rica 2-0 and pre-tournament favorite Argentina beat host Peru 1-0. They'll meet Tuesday at Lima's Estadio Nacional.

Agassi withdraws

Andre Agassi withdrew from the RCA Championships in Indianapolis, saying his 34-year-old body needed rest as he prepares for the U.S. Open.

NYRA seeks its man

The New York Racing Association is courting the thoroughbred industry's top national official, National Thoroughbred Racing Association commissioner Tim Smith, to become its president and chief executive officer. Smith is expected to resign next week and could be in place in New York by September.

Soliman wins

Sam Soliman outpointed Raymond Joval in an IBF middleweight elimination bout at Temecula, Calif. The win makes Soliman a mandatory challenger for Bernard Hopkins.