In the second set, Kuznetsova managed to fend off four break points at 0-1, while Muguruza continued to apply the pressure, her drive volley doing the damage.
The Spaniard continued to soar up the court with efficient net play, ending with an impressive 23-from-32 success rate, and earned the decisive break for 3-1 with a line-skimming forehand.
Muguruza will tackle a home prodigy in the second round after French wildcard Fiona Ferro sauntered past Carina Witthoeft 6-4 6-2.
“I'm feeling pretty good. I have been training hard, and I didn't play a lot of matches. So when you don't play a lot of matches, at least you have the time to practice and put things together,” reflected the two-time Grand Slam champion, who is hoping for another deep run to vie for the title in Paris.
“You have to put together so many things to be able to win a tournament like this. But for now I'm just concentrating on these first rounds that are very difficult, like today, and I'll go from there.”