After pushing Nadal close in a nine-minute opening game, Medvedev had no answer to the brilliance of the Spaniard in Montreal.
Nadal ruthlessly the dispatched the young Russian 6-3 6-0 to dispel any concerns about his knees on hard courts.
Medvedev has enjoyed a fine year, winning a title in Sofia and he will move to a career-high in the rankings on Monday.
And Nadal was full of praise for his opponent after the match.
“I want to congratulate Daniil. It’s been a great year for you,” Nadal said in the trophy presentation.
“Many congratulations on all your improvements. You are already in your best place in the rankings, fighting for the best events and that because you are doing a lot of things well.
“I wish you all the very best for the future. You have all your career in front [of you]. All the very best to you and your team. Well done.”
The victory for Nadal was the first time he had defended a hard court title in his career and he was delighted with how he performed after coming through a tough first service game.
“It was important in the beginning that he doesn’t take advantage because finals are always a little bit more difficult for everyone,” he said.
“I’ve played a lot of these. I know beginnings can be tricky, especially against a great player like him but especially when a player like him is playing with a lot of confidence like he was playing during the whole week.
“I think I played a very solid match, my best match of the week.”