Clue: With a hostess improperly chasing the above tennis player, the end is inevitable (5,2,5)
Answer: ASHES TO ASHES
Explanation: Definition: the end is inevitable
A charade of ASHE ('the above tennis player', a reference to 'Arthur' from the above clue to 9A) plus STOASHES, an anagram ('improperly') of 'a hostess'. The definition is a reference to the Anglican burial service.