The Russian second seed triumphed 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-4 over seventh seeded Hurkacz.

“I had zero breakpoints to save, so in a way I was never under pressure,” said US Open champion Medvedev who fired 15 aces in the match.

“I had only two games on Hubert’s serve where I had breakpoints. Super happy to make this work and that I managed to get both breaks.”

Hurkacz has enjoyed a breakout season, winning his first Masters event in Miami and making the semifinals at Wimbledon after beating Roger Federer in the last-eight.

He is appearing in the end-of-season showpiece for the first time.

“I’ll just try to stay positive,” he said.

“I lost this match, but I’ll think about the positives and what I can do better and prepare for the next one.”

Medvedev has now won 23 of his last 26 matches.

Later Sunday, sixth-seeded Matteo Berrettini of Italy saw his challenge suffer a painful end when injury forced him to retire against Alexander Zverev.

The German third seed was 7-6 (9/7), 1-0 ahead when Wimbledon runner-up Berrettini called it quits with an apparent abdomen strain.

“To be honest I feel like crying right now. I know Matteo so well and I just feel bad for him,” said Zverev.

This year’s ATP Finals are being played in Turin for the first time after being switched from London.

On Monday, world No 1 Novak Djokovic faces Casper Ruud while Stefanos Tsitsipas tackles Andrey Rublev.