Soderling, the world number eight, suffered first round exits in Chennai and at the Australian Open but got off the mark with a battling display in Rotterdam.
"I hadn't played for some weeks and today I also had a bad start but I fought my way back into the match," third-seed Soderling told reporters.
"I am satisfied with the win but can and have to do much better," he added.
Fifth seed Tommy Robredo, who also experienced a first round exit in Melbourne last month, overcame Dutch wild card Robin Haase 7-6, 6-4.
Top seed Novak Djokovic faces Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky on Tuesday.