"It's good to know that I play on Thursday and have doubles as well. That way, it won't be like starting the tournament again when I resume the singles," he said.
Nieminen has a proud history at the event, losing last year's final to American James Blake and reaching the 2001 final as a qualifier, where he was beaten by Dutchman Sjeng Schalken.
Spain's Albert Montanes won his opening match over Rohan Bopanna of India 7-6 (7/5), 6-1.
Ivan Ljubicic, playing for the first time since reaching the Beijing semi-finals more than three weeks ago, maintained his winning streak at the BA-CA Trophy in Vienna by beating Austrian qualifier Andrea Haider-Maurer 6-4, 7-5 on Monday.
The No. 3 seed, who had to withdraw from Croatia's Davis Cup tie with Great Britain because of a kidney stone problem, admitted he had not been at his best level in the first match of his return.
He conceded his serve for the first time in Vienna early in the match, but his emotions, as well as lack of match play, may have played a part in that.
"It's emotional for me to come back here and play again," said the 2005 and 2006 champion.
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