The Russian, famous for winning here every two years with victories in 2000, 2002 and 2004, was the only attraction on the low-key opening day of an event missing five of the world's top six players.
Safin showed signed of nerves after a great start but recovered to win the second set's tie break 7-5 with a fine backhand pass on match point after 74 minutes.
The former world number one goes on to meet Swede Robin Soderling on the second day on Tuesday, when the seeded players take the stage.
World number one Roger Federer, who has never won in the French capital, told organisers on Monday he would not be coming this year because he was exhausted.
The withdrawal of the dominant Swiss left world number five Nikolay Davydenko as the highest player left in the draw.
World number two Rafael Nadal pulled out on Sunday with a stomach muscle injury, joining world number three David Nalbandian, four Ivan Ljubicic and six Andy Roddick.
The Paris tournament suffers from being the last regular event in a long season before the year-end Masters Cup featuring the top eight players in the ATP Race, to be staged from Nov. 12 in Shanghai.
ATP chairman Etienne De Villiers acknowledged changes needed to be made to the calendar and said sanctions could be imposed on players to prevent major tournaments losing top names.
THIRD YEAR
"I am both deeply disappointed and concerned by the depletion in the player field for one of ATP's most prestigious events," De Villiers said in a statement.
"Unfortunately this is the third year that withdrawals and injuries have hurt the event and the fans' opportunity to see all their tennis idols.
"This reinforces my determination to introduce meaningful change to the calendar, the structures, the incentives and sanctions needed to have healthy, motivated top players grace our top events."
The ATP chairman did not elaborate on the changes and sanctions planned, nor did he give a time frame.
Federer, Nadal, Ljubicic and Roddick have already qualified for the Masters Cup and probably all felt they needed a break before going to China.
"To organise the Masters Cup in China shortly after the end of the European indoor season causes problems," said tournament joint director Alain Riou.
The tournament's other director, Cedric Pioline, said measures were needed to make sure the top players entered the showcase events.
"The tournament organisers seem to have more obligations than the players," said Pioline, a former top 10 player.
"We need a system with sanctions and, having been a player, I can tell you that fines don't work. We need bans."
